Food

An old diner-type establishment made funky with eclectic thrift store accoutrements, Papa J’s & the Lobster Bar (191 Searsport Ave./Rte. 1, Belfast, 207/338-6860, www.mooringscamp.com [1], 4–10 p.m. Tue.–Sat., $12–25) is the brainchild of Jim and Ecko Baker, who also run the campground next door. Fresh hard-shelled lobsters from Wyman’s lobster pound up the street are made decadent with a side of southern-style deep-fried corn. Equally rich is the lobster with a feta cheese/sun-dried tomato sauce served over penne. The restaurant draws a hopping crowd of campers.

If you’re wondering what the line is all about at Dudley’s Diner (57 Main St., Belfast, 207/338-1884, 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun., $6–15), it’s for the overstuffed omelets and sandwiches. The family-owned spot whips up a pastrami grilled Reuben that’s become a local legend.

Belfast’s [2] most upscale restaurant, the Twilight Cafe (5–10 p.m. Tue.–Sat.; 5–9:30 p.m. Sun., $17–27) is a country kitchen with butter-cream walls and painted wooden tables, a few of which have a view of the harbor below. The food is all made from scratch and accented with creative flavors. Generous portions of fresh crabmeat in a crab cocktail is cut with the sweetness of mango salad; lobster cakes with ginger pumpkin crème fraiche are a little taste of autumn in Maine [3], no matter what time of year.