For an unforgettable culinary dining experience in Midcoast Maine, look no further than Nina June.

Chef Sara Jenkins was born here in Camden but grew up in Italy, Lebanon, and Spain. She infuses the finest ingredients Maine has to offer with a fresh mediterranean spin. Take the mocktail that's featured here: It's made from strawberries from local farmstand, Beth’s Farm Market, and a syrup made from lavender sourced from Glendarragh Farm and a few other ingredients that bar manager Jeff Hazell whipped up for us when we asked for something fruity.

We started with the wheat-sourdough house bread served with an olive oil that comes from Sara’s garden in Tuscany. We chose the locally-harvested aphrodite oysters from South Thomaston as our appetizer. For the main dish, I had the pasta (Sara makes it fresh every day) and mushrooms that were flown in from the Pacific Northwest. It was perfect. For dessert, we tried the lemon curd tart with elderflower blossoms and some espresso. Every bite was more savory than the last. The servers know their stuff and will happily answer questions about the way things are prepared and sourced. So if you are looking for a culinary experience that will leave you satisfied long after your final bite, we recommend that you call and make your reservation now!

FAMOUS FOR:
The prettiest terrace in Maine. The ultra fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. And the gorgeous plate presentation.

HOURS:
Tues thru Sat: 5:30p-9p
Closed Sunday and Monday

ADDRESS:
24 Central Street in Rockport, Maine

WEBSITE:
ninajunerestaurant.com

A balcony with a blue table and matching chairs, overlooking a marina with boats, greenery, and residential buildings amidst a cloudy sky.
A red cocktail with a strawberry garnish on a cocktail glass, placed on a wooden table with a printed menu underneath, in a casual dining setting.
A dessert served in a bread bowl, topped with whipped cream, lemon zest, and small white flowers, on a white plate with a glass of water and a glass of orange drink in the background.
A man with tattoos on his arm, wearing a black t-shirt, is pouring a drink from a metal shaker in a restaurant kitchen.
Oysters on a bed of crushed ice garnished with microgreens, lime wedges, and a small cup of chopped onion and vinegar. Two forks on the plate.