Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Maine Restaurant You Have to Try

Ever wondered where Anthony Bourdain went to eat in Maine? Yep, this place is legendary!

Anthony Bourdain was born in New York City in 1956 and took a pretty winding path before becoming famous, bouncing between kitchen jobs and struggling with addiction before finding his
footing as a chef.

He worked his way up in New York restaurant kitchens, but everything changed when he wrote Kitchen Confidential, a brutally honest, funny look at restaurant life that turned him into a massive star.

From there, he reinvented himself as a traveler and storyteller, hosting shows like No Reservations and Parts Unknown, where he explored food as a gateway into culture, and human connection.

His life was full of curiosity, and contradictions, and while it ended far too soon in 2018, his influence still lives on in how people cook, travel, and think about the world.

Amongst his many travels, was a stop in Maine, one No Reservations episode focused on the 207. That visit was filmed for Season 6, Episode 12, which aired in April 2010, and shows him exploring various parts of the state’s food and culture.

But what was his favorite? According to Lovefood, a popular online food platform that provides recipes, cooking guides, food news, restaurant reviews, and meal planning, it was a fantastic restaurant in Rockland.

During that Maine episode, Bourdain savored dishes at Primo, including a variety of farm-to-table preparations, such as pea soup with ham hock, smoked pork rib chop, and other locally sourced items, showcasing Chef Melissa Kelly’s seasonal cuisine.

Primo is a nationally respected restaurant in Rockland. It is set in a cozy, converted house and is deeply tied to its surrounding land, Primo operates its own nearby farm, where they grow vegetables, raise animals, and source much of what ends up on the menu.

They have earned multiple James Beard Awards and a loyal following, but it still feels like a place where craftsmanship, and really good ingredients matter more than flash.

Read More: Maine's 3,620-Foot Mountain Dining With Epic Views

Here are some of the signature dishes at Primo:

• Pork Saltimbocca– A favorite served with roast garlic mash, garden spinach, prosciutto & Madeira jus
• Farmer Salad Crisp local greens with house‑made bacon, lemon‑parmesan vinaigrette, and legendary croutons.
• Grilled La Belle Farms Duck Breast – Known for its rich flavor and perfect technique.
• Pastas – Seasonal housemade pastas like spinach linguine with sherried chicken or porcini tagliatelle with scallops appear frequentlye.
• Seared Yellowfin Tuna or Local Halibut– When fresh seafood is available, these fish dishes are a standout.
• Zeppole– Classic light Italian fried dough

The are currently closed for winter break, but will open for the 2026 season, in May, but reservations will re-open, on April 1st!