STEPH JUDGEMENT: Cool woman-owned coffee shop…read more I was looking for a coffee place in the area and this came up with high marks. Located on the main drag called Maine St in Brunswick, it was a cozy, welcoming space. I decided on their Earthworm latte--a delicious sweet treat featuring Oreo crumbs. I sat at the bar facing Maine st, watching the midweek traffic pass by and leisurely enjoying my coffee. It looked like a very mom- and kid-friendly space, which made sense after learning that it was a woman-owned business. A bulletin board by the front door had a bunch of flyers tacked on to it, and it seemed like a popular neighborhood hub. A cool small business worth supporting.

This orange cardamom latte and chorizo breakfast burrito (with a little Cholula packet) might be…read morethe ultimate way to start a day! Amazing vibe, kind service - will stop by any time I'm in town.

This place is so fun!…read more Went for a little solo dinner by myself and it was great! The drink (Roses are falling) was one of the best drinks I've ever had!!! The shrimp and grits and hummus plate were lovely as well. Such a hidden gem in Brunswick, and I want to go back to try their coffee!

Looking for a European-feeling cafe in Brunswick? Looking for a place you can spend hours at…read morecomfortably solo with a book and a coffee? Looking to have a nibble and a mocktail or cocktail with friends? The Abbey has it (and more). The vibe: relaxed, warm, mid-modern meets minimalism, gorgeous stained glass windows, lots of natural light pouring in, the most comfortable seats you've ever sat in at a high top, lots of wood and greenery, a playlist that makes you stop and lean in. It's a cozy place that makes you want to stay a while. The drinks: I tried an iced cardamom latte with oat milk and it was fantastic (if you've ever had the vanilla cardamom cold brew coffee from Trader Joe's, it was an elevated version of that). I've also had a couple cocktails - since they make their syrups in house when they run out, they run out and your drink might be unavailable... BUT the staff is exceptional at making alternate recommendations and even making totally off menu drinks entirely! The food: Several (clearly labeled) vegan options! We tried the muhammara (a housemade dip topped with spiced walnuts, chickpeas, and three half slices of toasted sourdough) and the hummus plate (housemade and topped with marinated chickpeas and a drizzle of olive oil, accompanied by six naan wedges). LOVE the quantity of both dips, but wish there was some other dipping vessel outside of (the sometimes stodgy) bread. A little heap of rainbow veggies would be amazing! While the muhammara was a bit more liquidy than I've had elsewhere, the hummus was thicker than I was expecting. Solid shareable options regardless! (Grab a seat, order at the counter, and they'll call your name when your drinks are ready so you can go grab them; if you've ordered food, they'll bring that to your table. It was confusing what the clean-up situation was, several of us just sort of walking back to the bar with our plates and cups.) Excited to return again!

Dog Bar Jim had been on my list for a while, so I was excited to finally stop in for breakfast. I…read morehad heard the lines could be long, so we arrived around 9:30 a.m. expecting a wait. Luckily, there were only about five people ahead of us, and the line moved quickly. The person taking our order immediately made us feel welcome. Even with a busy morning crowd, they took their time with everyone and treated each customer like they were the only one there. That kind of genuine friendliness is something you don't forget. The atmosphere is unlike any coffee shop I've been to. Every wall has something different to look at, quirky artwork, funny signs, vintage pieces, random collectibles, a mannequin dressed in sunglasses and boots, even a life-size Tom Cruise hanging out on the patio. I found myself constantly looking around because there was something interesting in every direction. One of my favorite touches was the self-serve coffee station. You grab a mug from the wall instead of a paper cup. I picked one with a cool Abraham Lincoln wearing a backwards baseball cap while sipping coffee, which perfectly matched the café's fun personality. There were several coffee choices, and I ended up trying two. Refills are available for a small fee. For breakfast, I ordered one of their brioche breakfast sandwiches with the meat of the day, which was brisket. The brisket was tender, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the soft brioche bun. I also ordered a toasted jalapeño bagel with jalapeño shmear. It comes sprinkled with Tajín but got mine on the side. While I usually enjoy Tajín, it was just a little much for me first thing in the morning, so next time I'd ask for it without. The jalapeño shmear itself was delicious. After eating, we took our coffee outside to enjoy the patio. The colorful mural covering the building, beautiful flower pots, and relaxed seating made it a great place to sit and slow down for a while. Dog Bar Jim isn't just a place to grab breakfast, it's one of those places with real personality. Great food, excellent coffee, genuinely kind service, and an atmosphere that's fun, creative, and impossible to forget. If you're anywhere near Brunswick, it's absolutely worth the stop.

Cute eccentric little cafe for breakfast! Guy at the register was super friendly and service was…read morequick. There was quite the line but honestly worth waiting. I had a chai and my friend had a vanilla latte. Both were great! I haven't had a chai in a while and this scratched the itch would definitely come back to try some of their bagels.

HERE'S HOW YOU KNOW THIS IS NOT A PAID FOR REVIEW: The coffee kinda takes too long if you are in a…read morerush or headed to work, etc. Ok now to the rave review. Seriously this place is a gem. I asked one of the staff a question about the history of the place and it turned out to be the owner (I'll leave her name out because i don't know if I should broadcast it). Honestly, what a sincere and lovely person. I told her this was our first time there and how great I thought it was and she just took us right into kitchen to see the operation. She showed us how everything was prepped, created and finished - right down to the cleaning station and the walk in freezers. I should make note that while my restaurant experience is a couple decades old, i have seldom seen a cleaner operation. Go look - you'll be amazed. You could literally eat off the floor back there. Consider that coupled with the fact that every person in that kitchen, EVERY ONE, came up and greeted her warmly with an inside joke, a hug or a sincere hello as we walked through. I hold a lot of faith in businesses that try and make family out of their crew - i have spent a lifetime of small (micro!) business ownership trying to encourage those vibes and they are not easy to come by and always earned, never forced. This business is owned by a decent human, staffed by decent humans, and makes great food prepared cleanly, freshly, and healthily. We went back 2 more times during our stay nearby and tried different things each time - each time did not disappoint. Pricing seemed fair, especially considering the variety of the menu and freshness of the food. There is a reason they have survived for the better part of 35 yrs (+/-). Soups are a hearty high point (especially for the price) and the English Muffin Loaf was a new one to me and a revelation - get one.

One of the best places I've been to! We stopped here on a road trip to Rockland for lunch. This…read moreplace had a ton of options to choose from for lunch (i.e. sandwhiches, hot bar, etc). Not to mention, I was so tempted to order all the lovely baked goods and treats. They looked amazing. The seating was super accessible and expansive, and everyone here was super welcoming and hospitable. I hope to be back next time I am in time for a sweet treat! The cookies looked amazing.

Let's start at the beginning- Just because the roll-down…read moredoor is closed doesn't mean the bagel shop is closed. That was my first error as I went by this place a handful of times. It's wasn't until I saw someone emerge from the double doors to the left of the roll-down that I realized that the business was open. Not that they need any help getting people inside (it was HOPPING) but a sandwich board outside perhaps would show that the business is open inside? I went in and immediately everyone was friendly and chipper. Ordering was simple enough but be prepared, they sell through some things, understandably as this place is very popular. I got an espresso and a toasted herb bagel with plain cream cheese. Ive been all over Bath, Brunswick, Rockland, and Camden and was convinced that the New Englander's palates were shot. Not a single business has served me a decent espresso. Not a single one until I stopped at Dutchman's. FINALLY a bright, clean shot that doesn't taste like someone put a cigar out in it. Everyone needs to take notes. THEN we get to the bagel....didn't think I was about to have the best bagel of my life, yet here I am. Light, toasted, slightly chewy but not heavy... jeez. Can we talk about the space? It's gorgeous. Airy, cool, industrial...but the people running it make it feel homey. We can talk about the restaurant they're putting in next door too but let's be realistic, if they use any of the blueprint they're currently operating off of, they're not going to have any issues (Omg the pizza oven!) The view alone will stop you in your tracks. I'm all in on Dutchman's. I bought the merch. I have a tee shirt and a beanie and the only reason I don't have a hoodie is because they were sold out in my size. What else is there to say... 10/10 No notes.

Dutchman's was worth the stop while in town. There was a huge line by 9am on Saturday, so clearly…read moreit's a favorite among locals. The space is very unique, a very comfortable, open place to enjoy some coffee and a bagel. The bagels were decent for the area, but not my favorite type of bagel (a little bready). I thought it was a little pricey for what I got, but with a line as long as it was, Dutchman's can justify the prices. I'm picky when it comes to bagels, so my rating is reflective of that. I am of the opinion that New York/New Jersey bagels are the pinnacle of the bagel world, and the further away from New York you get, the harder it is to find somewhere that gets close to meeting that standard. I'd still stop by if I'm in town again, as long as I get there before the big morning rush. Not sure it would be worth the 20+ person line.

My dad always used to love this place…read more This is a coffee shop with a lot of identity. I got there when it opened and there were already regulars there, by the time I got in. The wait wasn't long and the staff was already cracking jokes and very pleasant. If it's any indication of how much the customers love this place, in line I listened as a regular was offering to bring by his own soil tiller for a barista. Got a Reuben at 7:00 in the morning and it was delightful. Very specifically, the bread was buttered and toasted perfectly and it was a great portion! The chai was also nice, very well balanced. The ambiance of the coffee shop is lovely, bright, light, some nice music, the lounge is a nice spot as well! Overall, this was a delightful start to my day, I will be back soon!

I was in Brunswick for a meeting so my two colleagues and I stopped in during our lunch break. We…read morewanted to support a local business versus a fast food joint and figured we'd have enough time to do so. We ordered two turkey sandwiches and a tuna salad on a bagel, so nothing cooked, besides the toasted bread. While waiting about 25-30mins for our food, it got really hot inside. I looked up at the built in fans/vents in the ceiling and noticed they were filthy. I was afraid if I had asked for air to be turned on, that dust would have shot onto people's food! There was also a situation where the man behind the register needed a choice made by an elderly customer that had already taken a seat. She shouted out the answer to his question and he responded rather loud and rudely for her to "Next time come to the counter! I don't like yelling across the room!" (Or something to that extent) Whatever it was, it seemed really aggressive and unprofessional, not to mention disrespectful. The sandwiches were good, had fresh ingredients, but I'm not sure this place was throwing the right vibes for me to revisit.

I accidentally stumbled upon Ritual on my way to work the other day. I was planning to stop in to a…read moreneighboring coffee shop that I'd been to before but saw the sign for bakehouse and thought to myself that a breakfast snack would be a great idea. I was pleased to find out that I could also grab a latte, to go, from Ritual. The space is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! I was a bit skeptical of the breakfast sandwich, as it looked like it would be mostly bread (not sustenance), but I was wrong. Inside that pillowy (I assume potato-based roll) was a delicious egg, bacon and special sauce combination! I will be stopping here again, in the future!

Everyone here is so friendly, and the space has a small, quaint charm that makes you want to…read morelinger. The pastry selection looked amazing, it was hard to choose! I went with the ham and Gruyère croissant, which was airy and delicious. My husband ordered a caramel latte and really enjoyed it. A perfect little bakery stop, we'll definitely be back!

A friend recommended this spot to us and I'm so glad we stopped. This gelato was fantastic and one…read moreof the best frozen treats we've had this year. My husband and I shared: - Marscapone Pistachio Caramel - Italian Banana Pudding - Cake Batter All three flavors were incredible. They have so many awesome flavors and they let you sample as many as you want. I will stop by here every time I'm nearby. If you like ice cream and gelato, it's a must.

After overheating at the un-air conditioned Elevenses next door, my friend and I were desperate to…read morecool down. Gelato Fiasco to the rescue! I ordered a small of the Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp gelato. It was heavenly. Portions were generous. Service was quick - no line - and very friendly. Ambiance was comfortable (and cool!). Such a lovely experience in all.

A cute little shop front, the donuts were soft and fresh and the coffee was good. The bagels with…read morecream cheese were amazing and the service at the counter was very friendly and helpful!

Glad we went early on Sunday today. Line was almost out the door. They are only open…read moreThursday-Sunday. Hence the shortage. Twist is great.

Came here with our son visiting from Seattle - and who is a huge LOTR fan. He loved the decor and…read morethe food. His French toast was cooked perfectly (not too dry or lacking spices as sometimes happens). My wife liked the eggs Benedict and I was very happy with my scallion pancake wrap, which was a full meal plus enough for a light breakfast the next day. The coffee drinks, hot or cold, are a nice change up from what we usually order at any of the half-dozen amazing and friendly coffee shops / bakeries within a few hundred yards. My orange mocha was a mocha but with a light and delicious overlay of orange. My wife loved her cinnamon bun latte - we'll have to make these at home on a cold blustery evening.

I've been dying to try this cute cafe for ages, and finally got a chance to today!…read more The good: 1. DELICIOUS Scone- flavorful and enormous with a generous helping of cream and jam 2. Ambiance- comfortable seating and fun LOTR decor. Absolutely loved it! The iffy: 1. Service was verrryyy slow for drinks, and they weren't well mixed so you got a punch to the face with syrup at the bottom of the cup, or in my case, salt 2. No prices listed on either the printed or hanging menu. Is it based on vibes??