Restaurants in Biddeford

Chefs and mixologists at Plush West End pair a diverse assortment of ever-changing small plates with fine wines and specialty drinks. Like a hug from a princess, the atmosphere feels both elegant and welcoming, and the Portland Press Herald’s Elisa Doucette remarked that the "cushioned leather couches in the lounge area and deep-red walls create a dark, seductive setting that compels you to stay for hours." The restaurant shows its commitment to Maine-based merchants in a variety of ways such as the Angus beef sliders topped with locally sourced cheddar. Cocktail connoisseurs mix signature specialty drinks at the bar’s glass chilling station illuminated by fiery red under-lighting, and a VIP section calls to diners seeking privacy for a special proposal or a rendezvous with international spies.

Schooners bob atop rippling waves outside of Joe’s Boathouse, casting aromatic ocean scents that accompany the fragrances of fresh seafood entrees and sizzling meats found on brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. Steel claw crackers and oiled Hulk hands wait in anticipation of Joe’s red-shelled crustaceans, which emerge from kitchens in 1.25-, 2-, and 3-pound portions. Charming umbrellas crown seaside patio seats, and picturesque vistas of the idyllic Casco Bay abound within Joe’s Dockhouse's indoor banquet room with bright wooden walls.

Mesa Verde mirrors its arts-district home with a colorful palette of homemade Mexican favorites adorned with fresh-salsa and sauce bursts. Chefs craft a dinner menu packed with crispy chimichangas, tamales made from a family recipe, and hearty vegetarian and vegan picks, including eggplant rollups and tempeh tacos. A special gluten-free menu boasts fajitas and enchiladas forged from corn tortillas. At the bar, fresh fruits and house-made sour mix marry international tequilas to create margaritas with green cards. The eatery also delivers and accepts take-out orders during lunch.

Warmth from the wood-burning oven just visible in the kitchen mingles with the soft diffused glow of overhanging punched lamps, filling the rustic space with a colonial Mexican ambiance. The chefs draw from modern, Old-World, and australopithecus cooking techniques while simmering dishes such as PEI mussels in chipotle butter, white wine, and mexican tequila. Whenever possible, they base their creations around sustainable seafood, local produce, and meat from grass-fed cows sourced from Pineland Farms. More than 80 tequilas, ranging from newborn blancos to 3-year-old anejos, populate the libations list, and the extensive wine list features vinos from Chile, Argentina, and Italy.

More than 10 colorful tap pulls unfurl rivulets of amber brews behind a mirror-inlaid bar, whose glossy panes reflect expert barkeeps as they shake, stir, and slide cocktails down the wood-topped counter. Each libation complements bites from Rivalries Sports Pub and Grill's menu of upscale bar fare, such as its signature sweet-chili buffalo chicken wings and burgers topped with caramelized or crispy fried onions. The screens of 34 televisions, each flickering with sports, dapple the walls between black and white posters of iconic moments in sports, from fateful tip-offs to Muhammad Ali punching a butterfly. Upstairs, an atrium-centered party room sprawls beneath a wood-beam ceiling, where Rivalries stocks celebrations with abundant party platters and buffets.