Location: Saco
Top Restaurants in Saco
Where to Eat in Saco: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Saco /ˈsɑːkoʊ/ is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems (also known by its former name, Saco Defense), a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics. Saco sees much tourism during summer months, due to its amusement parks, Ferry Beach State Park, and proximity to Old Orchard Beach.
Things to do in Saco
1. Palace Diner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By Natalie G - New York
We visited on a Monday morning (just after Labor Day) with our three year old.
I read about the palace diner on a blog I follow and was expecting a line. To our surprise we only had to wait ten minutes.
No kids menu but the staff happily made a half portion of pancakes (with chocolate chips!) for our son. My husband and I ordered a sandwich, omelet and a side of French toast. Everything was fresh, not greasy, delicious and good sized portions (but not grotesquely big).
Most importantly our service was just lovely. So friendly and cheerful and keen to please. What a wonderful breakfast!
Note: there are no booths just seats at the counter and couldn't see restrooms. Also check their hours as not open all day.
If you're in the area this is a must do.
2. Huot's Seafood Restaurant INC
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By MontyBuck - Ohio
This restaurant is located about 30 minutes south of Portland Maine. A little out of the way, but well worth it. Not too pricey. It's a family owned restaurant that's right on the water. Good was exceptional.
3. Martel's Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By madlady22 - Gorham, Maine
We have been visiting Martel's for years because their homemade ice cream is so good. I love orange pineapple and mocha chip. My husband is partial to chocolate and ginger. Also, you can purchase half-gallons to take home for $7.00. More recently, we decided to try their Italian sandwiches. You can choose your meat...ham or bacon or even chicken salad...to go w/regular Italian veggies. They may not be as great as Amato's Italians but they are full of fresh ingredients & made with care. Half a sandwich w/chips is enough for a filling lunch.
4. FernLeaf Bakery and Coffee House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By SoxWin09 - Maine
This is a hidden gem in Saco, if you know where to look. The food is fresh every day...the pastries are tremendous, and during the warm months they even have outside seating.
I've always enjoyed my meals here, and look forward to enlisting their services one day when I need a cake, etc.
5. Elements Books Coffee Beer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Elements: Books Coffee Beer serves locally roasted pour-over coffee and espresso drinks, wine and local craft beer, housemade baked goods and tapas plates in a comfortable cafe setting with free wifi. Elements offers a wide variety of high quality used and remainder books for sale and hosts live music every weekend.
Reviewed By BorisMurchant - Greenville, South Carolina
Stopped by for coffee and found a nice open air style coffee shop, OK coffee but staff barely conversed. As a visiting stranger it would be nice if I entered and maybe a "Hello!, Welcome" instead of no greeting and then a "Yes, what can I get you". At least maybe pretend you are glad I stopped in. Needs customer service training for all staff. No one spoke. Weird. Nice building and layout but I don;t think I would bother again. I sort of like my business appreciated just a wee bit. Seemed stuffy and pretentious.
6. Fielder's Choice Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By TheWiseOwl-AZ - Maricopa, Arizona
Five stars for their ice cream, or what is now called ice cream? The people who are rating this ice cream five stars, apparently have no conception of REAL ice cream. Real ice cream consists of cream, milk, sugar, natural flavor and egg yolk if making French vanilla. What they are selling here should be called frozen dessert. There are a multitude of additives including an over abundance of gum, that’s right, guar gum, carob bean gum, carrageenan and the list goes on. Take a spoon of this and pull it away from the scoop and watch how it stretches like rubber. The, so called, ice cream is not icy cold as real ice cream is. It’s almost a room temperature coolness to its substance. Bryers Ice Cream used to be a natural ice cream with only four ingredients, now they’ve gone the route of the stock holders and its now called frozen dessert, not ice cream. To the best of my knowledge the only real,ice cream left and that’s been cheapened by over airation, is Haagen-Dazs. I am truly put out by Fielders Choice claim that they’re selling “home made” ice cream. Sorry folks, but facts are facts. We will NEVER recommend this place nor stop again. Deception seems to be a way of life today.
7. Reilly's Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By AlliecatOOB - Old Orchard Beach, Maine
This is an old-fashioned bakery with sweets in all their rich, gooey excellence. The birthday cakes are great too.
8. Skippers Seafood & Rotisserie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By bethh533 - Saco, Maine
Had a nice breakfast with a good sized group of co workers. Service was friendly and quick. Good was good, typical breakfast fare, executed well.
9. Biscuits & Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Biscuits & Company serves breakfast, lunch & Sunday Brunch, including outrageous biscuit breakfast sandwiches piled high with fresh local ingredients. Plus Biscuits & Gravy, Moxie BBQ Pulled Pork, seasonal salads and sandwiches on house-made artisan breads. Rustic baked goods include sweet & savory scones muffins, shortcakes and cookies. Our baked goods feature Maine Grains, and we stock locally handcrafted jam, butter, coffee, tea and more. Vegan & Gluten Free options always available. Ask about Picnic Boxes, gift certificates or gift baskets, custom cakes and catering. Free parking in municipal lot next door.
Reviewed By cootmom - Massachusetts
A very comfortable and funky cafe in downtown Biddeford, which can use everyone's patronage to keep it lively! The staff is so friendly, there's plenty of room to stretch out and relax, and the biscuit sandwiches are so large that it could not fit into my mouth. Try the homemade sausage and smoked cheddar on one. Coffee's good too.
10. Run of the Mill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 576 reviews
The Run of the Mill is an English Style Brew Pub. We offer 7 beers at a time and rotate those between the 25 different varieties that we offer. Our menu includes traditional meals such as Fish and Chips, Pot Roast and Bangers and Mashed Potatoes. We offer daily specials and non-traditional fare, including many steak, fish and even vegetarian options. The Run of the Mill is family and local oriented and we strive to use local farmers, bakers and fishermen. In addition to great food, great beer and a full bar, we have live music Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons at 4pm, as well as an open mic night on Tuesdays. Music starts at 8pm and goes till 11pm. We offer a large deck over looking the beautiful Saco River, a separate outside menu including incredible Fish Tacos and some great Grilled Pizzas.
Reviewed By RCS3rd - Wellesley, Massachusetts
We craved the excellent veggie quesadilla from Run of the Mill and they did not fail us this time either. The few times we have tasted one of their dinner specials, we have never been disappointed.
Veggie quesadilla: Grilled Sun-dried Tomato tortilla stuffed with Pepper-jack cheese, Corn, Roasted Red Peppers, Garlic, Cilantro, Red onion & Tomatoes topped with cilantro-lime sour cream & remoulade on the side. Score 5*
Smoked bbq ribs served on top of a bed of sauteed spinach with saffron rice. Score 4*
(* We rate the dishes we try on a scale from 1-5, 5 being outstanding.)
