Only One Maine Restaurant Made NY Times Best Restaurants in America List

Maine is stuffed with amazing restaurants, but only one made the prestigious New York Times list of their 50 favorites.

According to the Press Herald, the New York Times reporters and editors over the past 12 months created a list of the best places to have a meal. Only one place in Maine is on that list - The Alna Store in Alna, Maine.

This little market and restaurant in Alna, Maine is one of the best in the country

From the outside, this looks like an unassuming mom-and-pop store in Maine. But as the Times noted (via Press Herald),

On a rural crossroads covered in white clapboard, the Alna Store looks like the old-time country shop that it was for decades. But now, the shelves in back are stocked with natural wines, imported tinned fish and bracing housemade ferments (kimchi, hot sauce, curry kraut). And in front, an ambitious restaurant serves a thoroughly of-the-moment, local menu that’s full of sophisticated touches without being at all pretentious.

The Alna Store is just that, a store and restaurant opened in December 2022 by Jasper Ludwig and Brian Haskins. They were also nominated for a James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.

Yes, there is a store where you can buy their fresh sourdough bread, and other yummy bakery treats and other items. They are all about the food and a sustainable food system. They work with local farms, fishermen, and artisans to serve beautiful food with matching service. And it's tasty!

There's not an item on the menu that isn't 5-star worthy at The Alna Store in Alna, Maine

This delightful dish above is their brunch Ratatouille with farm fresh veggies, a perfectly poached local egg, homemade sourdough bread, along with fresh herbs and basil oil. Now tell me you didn't just check your schedule to see when you could go to The Alna Store!