The future looks bright A

After three years of ups and downs, changes and adjustments, the 2023 dining scene can be summed up in one phrase: FULL SPEED AHEAD.

Old favorites like Alisson’s, Fed’s, Sebago and Duffy’s are already in the swing of the season, feeding people on a daily basis.

But there’s a LOT of new stuff happening:

Laura Dolce Executive Director Kennebunk Kennebunkport Arundel Chamber of Commerce

• Stripers has a new chef and we’re hearing raves.

• Smoke BBQ opened on Route 1 in Kennebunk and people can’t get enough. Burnt ends, anyone?

• The new owners at the Kennebunk Inn have made it their own, renaming the restaurant The Tavern and adding new dishes.

• Holy Donut is FINALLY open - and people are loving it.

• And speaking of love, Kport Bagels opened at the Morning Walk Cottages and people are flocking there.

• Mornings in Paris opened a great new Creperie just down the driveway.

• The White Barn Inn is celebrating its 50th anniversary of fine dining with a guest chef series. Favorite Jonathan Cartwright headlines on June 9.

• Rococo Ice Cream has moved to a FABULOUS, larger space in the Shipyard Shops (near Federal Jack’s), formerly the home of Honeymaker Mead Works.

• The Kennebunkport Resort Collection has opened Via Sophia in the space that formerly housed Pearl, and is opening Rosella - the Kennebunks’ first sustainable sushi restaurant - in The Grand Hotel.

• And Chef German Lucarelli, of The Lost Fire fame, bought the former Pier 77/The Ramp property and has BIG plans (you’ll see more on that in the following pages). With stronger staffing, this may finally be the season where things feel back to normal and what a blessed relief that is.

So loosen those waistbands and get ready to dine out like it’s 2019 again!

German Lucarelli’s cookbook released last year was a No. 1 seller on Amazon, and still folks came into The Lost Fire to buy an autographed copy.