Vegan
American
International
Italian
Organic
Mediterranean
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
European
Gluten-free
Breakfast
Deli-style seasonal cafe that offers sandwiches, salads, baked goods, soup, and a small retail section. Offers upscale seated dinner on Monday & Friday. Happy hour outdoors/weather permitting every Saturday from 2-5pm. Brunch 10am-1pm Sat-Sun. Order winter monthly food pick-ups on their website. Open Mon 12:00pm-7:00pm, Fri-Sun 12:00pm-7:00pm. Closes seasonally - check ahead.
26 Reviews
First Review by florab
DFS61
Points +692
100% Vegan In Little Ol' Newcastle! - Edit
We visited The Salt + Pepper Social in Newcastle several months ago (before they closed for the winter season). The S+P has a very welcoming façade and its own private parking lot (which is great in this highly-trafficked part of Hwy. 1). A small table out front had their current menus to peruse; at the time, we didn't realize it was a 100% vegan restaurant/catering service, so it was an awesome surprise! Inside is very bright; laid-out more as a shop rather than a restaurant. The displays contained many unusual, finely curated vegan goods, cookbooks, arts & crafts. Here, you order, pay, go find a table out back under a tented area, and they serve your orders when ready. While waiting, it was a great time to browse the doodads and curios; and, as you head to the eating area, you stroll past S-P's refrigerators and investigate their eye-opening variety of plant-based cheeses, deli-style meats, specialty drinks and such. An attractive tea/cold-brew coffee "bar" was closed at the time; but, I could dig the chic little vibe it put out.
Read moreAfter ordering from a brunch menu, and checking things out, we grabbed a couple of coffees, along with a shared order of apple-cinnamon focaccia (large slices), and found ourselves a table. The focaccia was so tasty, but could've used a bit of warming-up. That said, the hot coffee was a nice touch -- like dunking a donut into hot cocoa.
From a review we had read earlier (from another food site), a disgruntled patron mentioned exorbitantly small portions; however, from our observation of other patrons' meals, the portion sizes looked large. (Sigh of relief!) I ordered a breakfast burrito; Jay ordered the crab eggs Benedict. (All plant-based, natch.) When our meals arrived, the portion sizes were more than adequate -- another sigh of relief, as we were famished! LOL!! -- and the presentations were beautiful. My breakfast burrito was nice and toasted and smothered in a cheezy sauce. So YUM!!! I was stuffed! (Jay's Benedict, he says, was "so, so good." I had a bite and it was, like, "Yowzah"!!) We were both VERY satisfied and impressed!
Overall, our whole experience at the Salt + Pepper Social was top-notched! We picked-up some Midcoast Vegan deli stuffs, as well as a Korean vegan cookbook on the way out. The gal manning the S-P was super friendly! Although it's an hour-and-a-half drive to Newcastle from Bucksport, we will definitely be popping in there again!! :D
Pros: 100% Awesome Vegan Food!, Awesome staff!, Awesome place for take-home food stuffs!!
Cons: They're not closer to Bucksport!!!
Guest
Blueviolingirl
Points +232
Hidden gem! - Edit
How have we not known about this little gem for the past 4 years?! Went to their last dinner service of the year and were blown away. Will be ordering frozen meals and eagerly waiting for May when they reopen!
Read morePros: The food was amazing , Co-owner was warm and friendly , Local ingredients
Cons: A little pricy
Guest
VeganSC
Points +24
Excellent in every way! - Edit
Fantastic locally sourced ingredients and menu items made in house. Add the lovely setting and friendly service and it ads up to a wonderful dining experience. If you have room for dessert, they also have an amazing selection of delicious, homemade bakery items.
Read morePros: Great tasting food , Variety of creative menu choices , Wonderful ambience
Cons: What’s not to like?!
Guest
danic22
Points +130
Best meal I’ve ever had - Edit
I was happily surprised to find an all vegan restaurant at the end of our trip. Love the location, the vibe, and view of the water is great. Our server was incredible. She took time getting to know all of the guests allowing us to feel very welcomed and taken care of.
Read moreI got the mushroom short rib and wow I’ve never had a meal like this before I was amazed. It was meaty, the flavor was divine. Paired with a medley of perfectly cooked vegetables all on yummy mashed potatoes with some kind of sauce around the whole dish. The plating, textures, flavors it was all delicious and 10/10. My partner got the meatball sliders and wow those were good too.
Updated from previous review on 2025-08-17
Pros: DELICIOUS FOOD , Quality and freshness, Great service & location
Cons: No cons these place is bomb
Guest
sophiefrenchfry
Points +1593
Great food and little store - Edit
We really enjoyed lunch and the view of the Darimoscotta River at Salt and Pepper Social. I got an awesome blackened tofu wrap with a gluten free wrap. The store had rebel cheese and baked goods to go. This place is a real gem I wouldn’t have found without happy cow.
Read morePros: Casual and comfy seating, Options for accomodating food allergies
Guest
Eythra
Points +32
Delicious and very casual vibes! - Edit
Great seating area and very low pressure! The cinnamon rolls are to die for.
Read moreGuest
pconn
Points +24
Incredible, high end vegan food b - Edit
Had reservations outside (covered) with view of the ocean. Current offerings orrwatermelon tar tar, Nashville tofu sandwich, and lions mane steak salad with cheesecake and pistachio ice cream for dinner. Full bar with many non-alcoholic options. One if the best meals I’ve had in my life, if not the best.
Read morePros: Views , Quality far, very high end , Friendly staff
Cons: Steep prices (worth it though), Might not get in without a reservation (summer)
Guest
marylovescritters
Points +18
Perennial favorite - Edit
Innovative and dependable- total technical mastery matched with tasteful creativity. The staff are all wonderful beyond words too. We are so lucky to have S P!
Read moreGuest
Drpaula9
Points +20
An oasis - Edit
Recent trip to Damariscotta for the weekend pumpkin regatta we found salt and pepper. An oasis in a land of crab and lobstah.
Read moreHit the mark and then some from offerings like pumpkin scones,cupcakes and turnovers.
The poutine with mushroom gravy and cheez was the BEST I’ve had
We even had the pleasure of dining here and everything from house made foccacia with feta to cocktails and entrees was fantastic!
We even shared the flourless torte,tho sated and happy.if you are anywhere nearby (even Portland),be sure to stop here. Tho they do close soon for the season I understand catering is available.
Pros: Everything, Made with care and attention to detail
Guest
Adiman
Points +103
Nice spot - Edit
Plant based restaurant and market. Had chickpea tuna sandwich chocolate chip cookies, both delicios.
Read moreFriendly staff, lovely location, loved the fresh wildflowers on each table.
Updated from previous review on 2024-09-30
Pros: Cozy location, Lovely food, Helpful, friendly staff
Guest
FlopStar
Points +509
An oasis of vegan goodness - Edit
Traveling Maine is a constant barrage of lobstah rolls and other horrible food. What-a-find. We missed lunch and dinner, but got to have happy hour on their cute porch. The focaccia was direct from the oven and oily delicious. We ended up buying a picnic sandwich from the case and it was so good we bought more to keep for tomorrow. We also got a pimento cashew spread and it was worth splurging on. Would love to try a full meal but our calendar didn't allow it.
Read morePros: High-end vegan grocery with unique items, Homemade Frittata, fresh focaccia, to-go case
Cons: Not cheap, but worth it
Guest
lisawlunt
Points +38
A treasure - Edit
I was so excited to find a fully plant-based restaurant and market in mid-coast Maine that I was doing cartwheels. And it did not disappoint! My sister and I stopped by in the morning and split the berry coffee cake. YUM. We went about our day and returned for lunch. We split 2 sandwiches: beet pastrami and curried tempeh wrap. Both were beautifully composed, great flavors and textures. Filling and also felt super healthy. We split a chocolate chip POTATO CHIP cookie. Yep, you’re heard me. It was one of the tastiest vegan cookies I’ve had.
Read moreLet me add that the space is lovely. The covered outdoor deck overlooking the water is completely delightful. Inside there is a small and enticing bar. The market is filled with delicious plant-based products. Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Guest
VeganYall
Points +52
Not a fan - Edit
It's wonderful that there's a vegan shop and cafe in this part of Maine and I had high hopes, but unfortunately it didn’t measure up.
Read moreI was eager to try the Beet "Pastrami" and a mango scone. Sadly, the sandwich wasn't to my taste. The "pastrami" was soggy and quite bland, and the focaccia didn't stand out (seemed old). The sandwich had several spreads on it, making it overly rich and difficult to enjoy (or even eat). As someone who appreciates thoughtfully prepared food, this odd combination was a disappointment. The vegan cheese was a bright spot and lovely on its own (I picked it off the sandwich and threw the rest away), which I appreciated.
Also, the price of $17 just for the sandwich felt unreasonably high, despite being homemade. I think it would be clearer to label this just as a veggie sandwich and offer it at a much lower price point.
As for the mango scone, it had a nice flavor but was more cake-like than a traditional scone. I was relieved it was "day old" and sold for just $2.
For a cafe that labels itself as "elevated," I expected a better execution. I also noticed there were no menus posted, making it hard to see what other options were available.
If you're in a pinch for some vegan food, it may be worth a try, but it doesn't stand out and was sadly very disappointing.
Updated from previous review on 2024-08-12
Pros: Overlooking the water
Cons: Overpriced, Food was awful
Guest
kale_queen
Points +474
BEST - Edit
I’m so glad we got to try! I wish we lived closer. It’s amazing & adorable! Please keep up what you’re doing😄
Read moreGuest
veryvegan
Points +87
This is vegan fine cruisine dining at its best - Edit
We usually only visit maine once every few years but in the few days we were there this August, we visited the Salt and Pepper Social more than a few times! Breakfast/Brunch was great, Dinner was great, breakfast sandwiches to go in the morning was awesome too.
Read morePros: Taste/quality of the food, sheer presentation, Staff is great
Cons: size/portions of some items
Guest
microwavenby
Points +211
Sweet People in a Sweet Spot - Edit
We had a lovely evening with the view over the water on the patio, and the staff was phenomenal. The menu on our visit was emulating "catch of the day", serving vegetables like various fish items.
Read morePros: service, creativity, quality
Cons: prices, not consistently highlighting allergens, beyond burger, get off the menu
Guest
ACCVeg
Points +1369
Thought I was in L.A. for a hot minute - Edit
This up-to-the-minute vegan spot overlooking a tidal river in mid-Coast Maine is right up there with the best of the best high-end vegan dining experiences I’ve had . They open for dinner a couple of nights a week and we happened to be in town for one of them. The “filet” was a revelation and the Lions Mane mushroom situation just upped the game considerably - the waitress explained the mushrooms are steamed, brined and then fried, resulting in an eating experience that was nothing short of heavenly. I don’t even know what to say about the focaccia, only that if it is on the menu you must order it. And they have soft serve! A must-do if you are in the area
Read morePros: The amazing food prep , The water view
Guest
obscurerichard
Points +44
So good, great location, vegan deli with soft serve and gourmet groceries - Edit
I saw the sign “vegan soft serve” from the road and was hooked! Going inside I was shocked to find a vegan deli and market with some of the best fancy vegan cheese made in the US. I had a perfect beet pastrami sandwich on focaccia and a very tasty pasta salad. They are doing dinner on Mondays and Fridays too!
Read morePros: Fantastic fresh deli food, World class selection of vegan cheese, Beautiful bar and patio right by the water
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Norcal2017
Points +834
Only vegan restaurant in Maine (just feels that way) - Edit
After a week of seeing lobster and seafood and meat places for over a week, this Californian found this gem in the middle of rural Maine in Newcastle after leaving an inn in Walpole on way home.
Read moreGreat choices
Pre-made sandwiches and dishes
Plenty of pastry choices. I had cauliflower soup and pasta dish which were great. Finished with an enormous sticky bun.
They do have real silverware, plates and cloth napkins to add a bit of upscale feel.
Beautiful patio seating facing the river and other bench tables under there trees
Pros: Choices, Great vibe to the patio seating
Cons: As usual price but worth it
Guest
SL1
Points +201
Delicious food - Edit
Delicious food, helpful and friendly staff, and seasonal dining area overlooking the Damariscotta Rivers
Read moreGuest
ddrukker
Points +16
Amazing food and best vegan cheese selection! - Edit
Soooo goood! If you are in the Damirscotta area, you must check this spot out! All vegan everything!
Read moreGuest
tagueja
Points +120
Amazing vegan cafe and market - Edit
Love this place and we come here as often as we can. Everything is always fresh that day, so come early or they may run out. Lunch sandwiches and wraps, and baked goods are simply amazing. They have grab and go frozen items as well as hard to find vegan snacks/treats. Oh and did I mention vegan soft service ice cream???!!!
Read morePros: All vegan cafe and market with great views, Outdoor seating area, Amazing staff and customer service
Cons: I live too far away
Guest
WillDuffy
Points +103
Great vegan market! - Edit
This palace has so many great vegan staples, some I've never seen in stores before! Plus it has a whole fake cheese section that introduced me to the delicious rebel cheese brand.
Read moreI didn't try their prepared food, but the blueberry cake I had was delicious. Can't wait to go back!
Pros: Lots of vegan staples, Lots of vegan food and baked goods, Entire section of fake cheeses
Guest
SaraNorlin
Points +3980
The mid-coast option we've been waiting for! - Edit
A vegan restaurant comes to the mid-coast! They have a good selection of eat-in and take-away options as well as a vegan pantry and bakery items. The porch and view of the lake are excellent. The proprietor is super friendly as well. Definitely worth the stop!
Read moreGuest
tlop
Points +45
Fresh and tasty - Edit
They just opened! Please visit and help a new vegan eatery. Right on the river with a lovely breeze and view.
Read moreGuest
florab
Points +49
Delicious, world-class food - Edit
100% vegan meals served as multi-course meals (eg pop-up supper club) and catered events. I have attended two of their 5-course meals and everything was scrumptious!
Read moreGuest
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