Location: Sanford
Top Restaurants in Sanford
Top Things to do in Sanford
Where to Eat in Sanford: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Sanford is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,798 in the 2010 census, making it the seventh largest municipality in the state. Situated on the Mousam River, Sanford includes the village of Springvale. The city features many lakes in wooded areas which attract campers.
Things to do in Sanford
1. Aroma Joe's Coffee House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By bchalonergill - Alameda, California
A very clean coffee shop with a wonderful atmosphere. The service was good with many choices of coffee and teas. Nice assortment of snacks - cakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls.
Stayed about 2-2.5 hours doing work. Good place to relax, enjoy coffee, meet up with friends, or just hunker down.
P.S. The music in the background - great mix that was played.
2. Dirty Dozen Donuts & Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By Sharon P - Barrington, New Hampshire
These donuts are CRAZY good. I'm a glazed fan, and their glazed are the best I've ever tasted. The staff is also super friendly.
3. Lord's Clam Box
Overall Ratings
4 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By 358nadam - Pburg
Surprising large seafood and burger menu. Enter, read the large menu board. The staff is helpful if you are not sure. Order then take you number and after a short wait wait fresh seafood.
4. Shain's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By OFWa - Hartford, Connecticut
We visit Maine several times a year, and we always make sure to stop at Shain's--sometimes more than once. Their ice cream is delicious, with a wide variety of flavors, and even the small dish (which is bigger than most large dishes) allows one to sample two different flavors. Their inexpensive ($7.99) lobster rolls (mayo OR hot buttered) are as large and tasty as ones that cost twice as much elsewhere. We have gone to Shain's many times over many years, and we are always pleased.
5. Cockpit Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Doodybutch - Hanover, NH
I have flown into Sanford airport three times in order to eat at this restaurant. Pilots call this the "100 dollar hamburger" but it is very popular here and at other airport restaurants.
During the week, the restaurant is supposed to be open until 2:00 pm. On two of the three occasions I came here, the restaurant decided to close at noon with no warning to customers because it was a summer day and "the kitchen was too hot". The first time was in July 2016. I thought they were having air conditioning problems so I let it pass. The second time was on July 21, 2017. I arrived at about 11:45. The door to the restaurant was locked and there was no response to knocking although there were customers and wait staff in the restaurant. The people at the FBO (airplane servicing facility not affiliated with the restaurant) once again rolled their eyes and told me that the kitchen was too hot so I was out of luck.
Fortunately, there is a gas station/convenience store right across the street with an impressive deli and pizzeria. For the second time I ordered a sub there and went back to the FBO to consume it in air conditioned comfort. While I was eating several people came in for lunch and found a locked door with at least one couple flying in like me. I directed them to the deli across the street where the food is probably better anyway.
My third visit here was on a Sunday in July 2017. I arrived at 11:00 am and ordered up a burger but they told me that they only did the breakfast menu on Sunday. I then ordered up some sort of egg sandwich. It was OK and reasonable but certainly nothing special. At about 11:30-11:45, I observed them locking the door again even though they were supposedly open until noon.
My impression overall is that this establishment is run with the convenience of the cooks and waiters as their number one priority. The food (the one time I got it) is mediocre. They are apparently not familiar with air conditioning in the kitchen. Customers come second. They do not take credit or debit cards (in 2017)! I think the owner was likely not on the premises. If I were the owner and I saw how they were running the place, there would be some people out of a job.
6. Dunkin' Donuts
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By DBG1010 - Cavendish, Vermont
Of course this is a Dunkin' Donuts, but we drove in went through the drive thru and there were no lines or waiting and the person who took our order was very pleasant which in the early morning is a real plus!
7. Shaw's Ridge Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Milford_PaMooseman - Milford,Pa
We took our grandchildren for an ice cream treat and they loved it. The selection of ice cream has something for everyone. Outside they have a small playground for children and a mini golf course and driving range so you can burn off the ice cream .
8. Mill 67
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By 358nadam - Pburg
Sanford Maine is not the place you would expect to find this unique bistro with a great menu far above the expected
9. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By LEER2011 - Waltham, Massachusetts
We had just eaten across the street at Green Tea and wanted something sweet so I suggested DQ and to her surprise, LOL. I got the small vanilla soft serve in a waffle cone and she got some peppermint blizzard in a chocolate waffle cone. We enjoyed our sweet treats like we were teenagers again. :-)
We went through the drive through and ate as we were headed over to Lowes.
Our desserts hit the spot and we were happy! No complaints.
10. Green Tea
Overall Ratings
4 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Michele_G_Allen - West Newfield, Maine, United States
The Green Tea Restaurant in Sanford, Maine, is a small but wonderfully delicious Asian themed restaurant serving a large variety of wonderful selections. Everything from your typical Chinese cuisine to some new and exotic flavors, there is definitely something for every palette at The Green Tea. I, personally, love their Pineapple Chicken and their House Fried Rice filled with delicious chunks of pork spare ribs, chicken, and shrimp. Delicious! The place is not large so avoid peak dinner times or you may have to wait a bit.
