The Alna Store

From the moment we stepped in the door, we were welcomed warmly by one of the owners, in spite of them closing soon. With paint stained clothes and plaster dust in our hair, the fact we just came from a full day of home renovating was of no importance. The service we received was stellar…personable and kind, from the knowledgeable staff who shared in our enthusiasm over the otherworldly flavor combinations.

We shared three appetizers, and every dish was a study in extracting maximum flavor from minimal ingredients, respecting the seasonality of the produce. Each dish told a beautiful story, I found myself closing my eyes and sitting in silence to fully appreciate the artistry of the food.

Pictures speak louder than words! We shared a dish featuring spring radishes, also a mushroom dish, and lastly a fish spread with some thick brown bread infused with butter. The latter was the only one that wasn’t out of this world extraordinary. Still very good, but something you might find schmeared on a bagel in NYC rather than brought to you by fairies…the other two dishes were truly magical!

The Alna Store is a haven for a special corner of the world, full of people willing to pay for the experience of eating. The cerebral thrill of it. Yummy food is all over Maine…but food like this? It’s beyond special. The marriage of unbridled imagination and technique, intuitive understanding and sensibility about flavor and chemistry. Mark my words, this place will earn a Michelin star one day! I’ll be proud to say I knew them when.

Last spring I used to go for breakfast. But most recently I go, sometimes by myself, for dinner. I believe it’s the best food in Maine. And with a changing menu, thoughtfully and brilliantly prepared, I am finding myself trying new dishes with layered tastes that take me a while to decipher. Their tuna tartare is the best I’ve ever had. And I am known for being a tuna Tartar aficionado. The first dish in my images is actually chicken and do you see those chips? They’re made from lentils. Who knew? Don’t miss the opportunity to drive a little bit out of the way for a truly delightful and delicious dinner. I could go on and on…

Humble, neighborly, and refined. Excellent service from Hannah, and epic selection of curious goodies! The pineapple dessert was so special with the macadamia nut crumble. 10/10 would recommend a journey down the backroads to this cozy gem!

This place is pricey, but worth every penny. You can't beat the atmosphere and the farm to table food. They use all local ingredients and their cocktail and wine list are both amazing. This feels like New York City dining in Maine. The employees are all very knowledgable about the menu and are super hospitable. I can't recommend this place enough. If you're thinking of going to Portland for a good meal, skip it and come here.

A true gem in the middle of nowhere! My mom heard about The Alna Store on a local news program and had mentioned wanting to go try it several times. We live about 90 minutes away in southern Maine, but when I was thinking about what to do for Mother's Day, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a brunch adventure. We started with the hush puppies, then mom ordered their burger, and I opted for the Japanese chicken and waffles. Everything was absolutely delicious! Even before we left we were contemplating a summer dinner night because their food was that worth the drive.

Alna store was wonderful. Our group had fresh squeezed oj, mocha coffee, iced coffee, grits and eggs, breakfast sandwich, blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon. Everything was wonderful

When we ate at the Alna Store in December, it was the best meal we ate in 2023 and although it is early in 2024 it was probably the best meal I’ve eaten this year too. This time, the standout dish was the yuca. So many great flavors on one plate. Our server was super. Just a lovely Easter Brunch experience. Looking forward to our next meal at The Alna Store.

This is truly a gem of a neighborhood restaurant serving really delicious food. They use many local producers and it’s obvious they care a great deal about their community and their customers. The menu changes frequently so there is always something new to try. We have been to a number of their themed dinners including Japanese, Korean, French, and Mexican nights. The cocktails are super fun! The desserts are top notch. The service is fantastic. Plus they have a sweet little general store where you can buy fresh bread, packaged goods, beer, wine and great gifts. Not to be missed!

Brunch here today with my parents. Well worth the accolades. Burger, fries, sourdough donut, brown butter chocolate chip cookie, wild mushroom congee. Wow! Everything we saw around us looked amazing too. 10/10 recommend.

Another great find and in the boonies! The appetizer (pinto potatoes) and dessert (pudding) which sound simple but were uniquely fantastic and could stand alone without an entree which is something we are not used to when we dine out. The whole meal and customer service was great and the wines (in my mind the quality of the wine choices makes or breaks a restaurant) were the best!

This is my favorite place to eat in all of Maine. Prices are great. It’s down to earth yet entirely elevated and unique. The quality of the food is always top notch. Absolutely incredible. You won’t regret.

Worth the trip at all costs! Nice Mahatten, Fried Sweet Potatoes, Black Cod and ice cream sandwich for desert. No question as to why James Beard is looking hard at The Alna Store!

Incredible tasting food. My only issue was please more! The dinners were small plates. I would suggest a third more food for the price. Bread & butter would have been nice to offset the small plate. The deserts were perfect. And the suggestion of wine, sublime. Would come again. Maybe candles on tables would add a nice warmth.

Such a lovely spot for some quality food! Yummy drinks too!!! I recommend the kalimotxo slush... so refreshing. Super cute little market with a nice curated selection of local, quality products.

Could not imagine a better local spot. Brunch is amazing. Dinner (especially pizza) and the rotating menus bring us back time and again

Had such a delicious lunch! I enjoyed a Bloody Mary with a burger and fries.

First trip to Maine and our first dining experience in the state. We LOVED it! The cornbread with onion jam was heaven on a plate and the crispy tofu with cherry peppers was also killer. Cool vibe, great drinks, and amazingly friendly staff. The owner was out and about talking to everyone and our waitress was extremely knowledgeable. Yes, it’s on the pricier side but everything on a plate or in a glass is supporting sustainability…..it’s all created with thoughtful intention. Loved every moment!

What a lovely, cozy place to enjoy a delicious dinner with friends! The cocktails were on point - one of the best margaritas I’ve ever had. Rotating menu of absolutely amazing fresh and local food. The burger (among all the other delights on the menu) is not to be missed. Such a warm, friendly place to enjoy after some snowshoeing in the area.

Just got an Italian sub and some craft beer here: excellent! We are super excited about the new ownership. NOTE to others many of the previous reviews are of the past management. They guys totally renovated the place. They have local connections and sell locally grown goods. We are thrilled to be able to go for breakfast or snack after hiking in the area.

Team earned their James Beard nomination! Great brunch, creative and very tasty.