Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Southern Coast

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Southern Coast? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Rosella

5.0

5 (294)

$31 to $50

Asian

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Rosella, part of the Kennebunkport Resort Collection, has expanded from New York City to Kennebunk, Maine! As NYC's only sushi restaurant committed to sustainable ingredients, Rosella now brings its eco-friendly sushi to the beautiful Maine Coast. Enjoy the best sushi in southern Maine, crafted by Executive Chef Matt Kramer.

Nestled in the Grand Hotel in Lower Village Kennebunk, Rosella offers a unique and intimate dining experience with warm hospitality. Our mission is to serve authentic sushi while inspiring our community to embrace sustainability through our delicious creations.

Join us for a memorable meal and explore our monthly events on our website. Don’t miss out on this special culinary journey!

Top review

SheilaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Love this place! Every dish was excellent and staff are friendly and informative.

The Tea House at the Lady Mary Inn

5.0

5 (16)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Ogunquit

About the restaurant

Delicately prepared tea sandwiches, sweets and scones are served in intimate settings throughout the manor. Surrounded by classic Victorian elegance and charm, this experience and culinary offering are steeped in both flavor and history. The Lady Mary Inn, located in the historic Hurd Manor, is the quintessential setting for afternoon tea.

There are three menu offerings:
Full Tea - $45
Light Fare - $36
Sweets Only - $22

Top review

Ellen

Dined on May 9, 2025

We had such a lovely time at our tea date! Ryan and Steve are incredible hosts, and we enjoyed the delicious sandwiches, scones, and desserts. The inn itself is beautiful and we love all the details that have been restored the past few years! Great experience. We’ve been 3x to tea and will be back!

White Barn Inn

4.9

4.9 (2357)

$50 and over

American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Our contemporary New England cuisine has been rooted in the local and seasonal long before they were the mots du jour on menus across the country. At our AAA Five Diamond, Forbes Five Star restaurant, we showcase incredible ingredients sourced through specially cultivated relationships with the farmers, fishermen and foragers of coastal Maine and just beyond for beautifully-presented, always inspired dishes that encapsulate the very essence of our spectacular setting.

We have a smart casual dress code; jackets are preferred, but not required. Shorts, sportswear, and flip-flops are forbidden in the dining room.

Top review

JosephVIP

Dined on May 13, 2025

Excellent food and service. Perfectly prepared lobster dishes.

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Experience

Traditional Maine Lobster Bake

Experience

The Macallan Cocktail Class

Experience

The Macallan Whisky Tasting

Earth at Hidden Pond

4.8

4.8 (3519)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Indulge in an unforgettable dining adventure at Earth, one of Maine's top restaurants. Nestled among balsam and birch trees, Earth embodies community, connecting exceptional cuisine with dedicated farmers and foragers.

Our farm-to-table menu celebrates locally-sourced ingredients, including meats, seafood, and vegetables from our organic gardens. Crafted by Chef Justin Owen, each dish boasts distinct, handcrafted flavors.

For intimate gatherings, reserve the Potting Shed for up to six guests or the Painting Shed for up to 12 (food & beverage minimum required, call to reserve).

Note: Table reservation durations: 2 hours for parties of two, 2.5 hours for parties of four or more. Walk-ins currently unavailable. Check for new openings regularly.

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Nicole was amazing and the food was perfection!! Great night-thank you!

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4.8

4.8 (482)

$50 and over

Seafood

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Ultramar, a new Kennebunkport seafood destination, opened its doors in June 2023. Chef Germán Lucarelli's culinary vision brings together the freshest Maine catch with bold Mediterranean flavors, all prepared over open flames for an unparalleled taste experience.

Top review

shonaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We love sitting at the bar at Ultramar. Great bar staff and beautiful views of the water. The seafood grill for 2 is our absolute favorite. Highly recommend.

The Boathouse Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (352)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT IS WALK-IN ONLY, however we are accepting reservations for Easter and Mother's Day brunch. Valet parking is available year-round.

Experience the charm of the Boathouse, a stylish hotel, and restaurant perched on the scenic banks of the Kennebunk River. Located in the heart of Kennebunkport, the Boathouse offers stunning waterfront views and embodies a chic seaside ambiance with bright, cheerful decor and nautical touches. Enjoy the culinary creations of local star Chef John Shaw in this vibrant and inviting space adorned with splashes of red and golden yellow.

Surrounded by bustling marinas, the Boathouse is Kennebunkport's ultimate year-round hotspot. Join us for Happy Hour from Monday to Friday, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, and indulge in an unforgettable dining experience where style meets the sea. Visit the Boathouse for a perfect blend of coastal charm and exquisite cuisine.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 10, 2025

Outstanding service & food in the most magical environment!

Ocean

4.7

4.7 (2212)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Discover Ocean's exquisite dining experience with our prix fixe menus, offering three courses for $105 or four courses for $125. Enhance your culinary journey with our wine pairing, priced at $68 for four courses and $60 for three. Start your evening with drinks on the terrace or at the bar, enjoying breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views from every dining table. Our seasonal menu showcases the finest Maine seafood and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Join us at Ocean for an unforgettable meal that highlights the best of coastal Maine cuisine.

Top review

RobVIP

Dined 1 day ago

A really remarkable meal, with excellent attentive service and of course stunning views.

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Popular dish

SCALLOPS

Little Barn

4.7

4.7 (640)

$31 to $50

American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

LITTLE BARN
Simply executed, yet expertly prepared, the flavorful and approachable dishes at the Little Barn bring the local Maine farmstead and fisheries to the table. It is a fantastic way to experience the amazing food and service for which the White Barn Restaurant is known.

Enjoy our Provisions menu along with Chef Mathew's daily menu board, featuring ever changing local favorites. Our Chef comes to work at the The White Barn Restaurant and he comes to play in the Little Barn.

Mood is relaxed and casual.

Top review

JackVIP

Dined 3 days ago

What a delightful evening. A casual atmosphere with the food quality of the White Barn Inn. It’s a less extensive menu but perfectly fine. Definitely worth it and we will be back.

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Popular dish

Heritage Chicken Pot Pie

Popular dish

Lobster Cobb Salad

Hurricane Restaurant - Kennebunkport

4.6

4.6 (1660)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Sitting over the Kennebunk River in the Kennebunkport neighborhood of Dock Square. Hurricane Restaurant offers the freshest local seafood,locally grown produce and the finest of prime meats available in the market daily. Our Chef and Pastry Chef write our menus each day based on what is the freshest and finest product. Our wine list offers over 130 plus selections by the bottle with almost 60 available by the glass and has won Wine Spectator awards for over 20 years in a row. Our service is casual with our priorities being complete guest satisfaction. Please join us soon to enjoy our wonderful food and beverages and well as our spectacular water views.

Top review

bob

Dined 2 days ago

Service was great. Staff very friendly. Food was fantastic.

Clay Hill Farm

4.5

4.5 (2658)

$31 to $50

American

Ogunquit

About the restaurant

Originally built in 1780 as a working farm, Clay Hill Farm is a classically renovated restaurant and special occasion venue nestled amidst 10 private acres of rolling lawns, protected woodlands, and colorful gardens. The first restaurant in the country to be certified as a wildlife habitat and bird sanctuary, Clay Hill Farm is passionate about locally-sourced food and the natural beauty of Maine. Live music nightly. Award-winning food & service. Seasonal live theater and themed events. Picture-perfect rehearsal dinners & welcome parties. Corporate dinners and private parties.

Top review

JaniceVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Charming restaurant, beautiful setting. Service was outstanding Nice variety on menu

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Popular dish

Award-Winning Lobster Bisque

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