Passed through for a work trip from Portland and enjoyed myself quite a bit. Great food and a shout out to Aaliyah for her excellent service. If I’m ever up this way again, I’ll be sure to stop by for a cocktail or three.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca Eldridge
My husband and I decided to have breakfast here today (8/30/25) based on a review I'd read online. Noticed immediately that the dining chairs are heavy and cumbersome. The upholstered arms are filthy. Our waitress was pleasant. Food seemed a little slow, but not irritatingly so. I had The Lockwood--generous portions and very good. My husband had the burrata skillet. Frankly it looked like a disgusting mess. All the food was drowning in liquid. The carpet in the bar area is filthy. Think the person(s) in charge need to look around and make immediate improvements.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 4
kim giroux
Mediocre food , overpriced, limited menu
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Maggie Hatzis
I wasn’t staying at the hotel but I was in the area with some friends and came in for lunch. All the food tasted fresh and delicious. Lots of vegan/vegetarian and gluten free options which is great. Overall great place but a little pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Brampton
We went there for brunch today for my wife’s birthday, I chose these brunch breakfast which was a mistake, Bean side was disgusting, sausages where so overwhelmingly with maple flavor I couldn’t eat them, the roasted potatoes were not cooked and the eggs were insipid,. For $17 I expected more than this,, don’t plan on going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Alexis Russo
Really nice to visit Waterville and go to a restaurant like this! Great service, nice atmosphere, tasty food and knows how to properly make a negroni!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Neuburger
Very nice place with good food and many gluten free options (celiac safe)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Pease
Portions were small for the price, but the food was tasty. The blue chairs, however, are very uncomfortable. My back hurts after our meal because you can't reach the back of the chair without being so far back that your knees can't bend to touch the floor. It's like they were made for very tall people whose knees are 2/3 the way down their legs.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Andrea Green
The chairs were so uncomfortable that people were asking for pillows. Service was horrific. We waited 20 minutes to order drinks then she said since she made us wait that we should order food and drinks ar same time. Some guests didn't even order a drink since it was so awkward. My empty drink glass sat in front of me during the grilled octopus and meal, even until we left. One of our guests waited for 15 minutes to ask for mayo, after our burgers were delivered. The water glasses caused the entire table to be wet, I asked for napkins. She never brought them, manager finally did after we asked for them again. Food was great, but would not return due to poor service and chairs too uncomfortable.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Maria Mongiardo
🌟 Food Review: Front & Main – Waterville, Maine 📍 9 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901
Tucked away in downtown Waterville, Front & Main is serving up some seriously bold flavors and thoughtful presentations. Sometimes you have to leave the buzz of Portland to discover hidden culinary gems, and this spot proves it. The ambiance is elevated yet comfortable—with beautiful seating and a cozy fireplace area that adds a warm, inviting touch. Let’s dive into the food! 🍴
STARTERS & SMALL PLATES 🧀 Smoked Ricotta (V/GF) – $18 This dish was... intriguing. It featured roasted asparagus, a ricotta whey emulsion, and an orange leek gremolata. Based on the menu, I expected it to be warm—especially the asparagus—but it was served cold. ❄️ While the flavors worked surprisingly well together, the temperature threw me off. Honestly, a bit confusing but still tasty? A solid 7/10 for flavor, but presentation and temperature missed the mark.
MAINS 🌮 Street Tacos (3) – Pork Belly Special These were the highlight of the entire meal. No notes, no complaints—just pure joy. 🤤 Crispy, juicy pork belly with the perfect blend of spices, tucked into soft tortillas. Easily a 10/10, and I’d return just for these alone.
🥜 Gambian Peanut Stew (GF/V+) – $34 What a flavor bomb! 🔥 The mafe sauce was rich and spiced beautifully, and the lentils, carrots, plantains, and peas added heartiness. That said, some of the vegetables (especially the potatoes) were undercooked, and a few elements felt more raw than al dente. Still, I was so taken by the taste that I’d order it again in a heartbeat. 9/10, with room to perfect the texture.
🥔 Potato Gnocchi (V) – $29 Wow. These gnocchi were pillowy soft, served with pearl onions, asparagus, a pine nut & arugula pesto, and topped with pecorino. 🌿 The pesto sauce was vibrant and full of life—hands down one of the best gnocchi dishes I’ve had in Maine. A perfect 10/10!
🍗 Roasted Chicken (GF) – $32 This one fell a bit short. The curried cauliflower, mushrooms, and tikka masala flavors were great, but the chicken itself was dry and lacked the tenderness I hoped for. 😕 With better execution on the protein, this dish could have been a standout. 7/10—great ideas, not fully realized.
DESSERTS 🍰 Frozen Key Lime Pie (GF) – $14 A beautiful blend of tart and sweet, topped with toasted meringue, pistachio crumble, and a blackberry sauce. Refreshing and indulgent at the same time. Loved it! 💚
🍌 Bananas Foster Budino (V/GF) – $14 This was my favorite dessert of the night. A velvety banana custard, brûléed on top with vanilla wafers and chantilly cream—like crème brûlée meets banana pudding, and I was obsessed. 😍 Both desserts easily earned 10/10.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS ✨ Front & Main brings a creative, globally-inspired menu to central Maine and executes it with a bold culinary voice. The ambiance is polished but relaxed, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout our visit.
Food: 9/10 – The flavors are incredible across the board, with a few execution missteps.
0 – This is definitely on the upscale side for Waterville. Expect to spend.
Ambiance: 8/10 – Sleek, elegant, and warm—especially with that fireplace nook.
Would I come back? Absolutely. Those pork belly tacos and Gambian stew are calling my name. 🔥
Typically I’m a big fan of front n main, but I went to have breakfast earlier and I thought the restaurant was closed where it was empty besides the server was sitting on a couch on a phone so I went to another diner nearby, but on the way back through town I noticed people leaving front n main as if they were open so I was a little confused.
Theresa
We found the service slow and noticed because of the way our table was placed, the wait staff was on their personal phones much of the time. The food was not outstanding unserve tap it but had an outstanding cost. I think a restaurant like this could do a lot better. The chairs squeaked and scratched on the slate floors, the outsides of the chairs were fabric and dirty from hands touching them. The legs of the chairs look like they had been abused from floor moppings. I think they could do a lot better all around. We went there but we will not be rushing back.
Jennifer Tanguay
It’s not very often I leave a review, but I have been sick since after having breakfast yesterday on Father’s Day. I mentioned to the waitress I would like to have gluten free, she said they had GF bread. When my toast came out I questioned the waitress and asked again if it was gluten free, she said yes she was sure it was. Well I’ve been very sick since after eating there, and the hellish stomach pains all night. This is so awful I had to spend most of my day in the bathroom at work. I’ve been to front and main a few times and each time the food has declined, but to this point is just absolutely horrible!!! I will suffer for who knows how long as I haven’t been able to eat gluten for 15 years, this is the first time I can say a restaurant screwed up badly.
Joe Goldberg
This place was great. The food is quality and pleasing. If you're lucky enough to sit at the bar and meet Aaron, you will likely find his interactions intelligently engaging. I would not call this a cheaper place to eat; I would call it a price point that is fair in today's economy. The portions are generous compared to other similar eateries. I find this is a gem hidden in a relatively small town of Waterville Maine.
Amanda Kochirka
My husband and I dined here for dinner one night while visiting the area after finding it on Google. We walked in around 7:30 pm without a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server, Max, was friendly and attentive. We started with the birria taco appetizer (the street taco feature that evening), which were very tasty (just a little greasy but not bad). I had the Caesar salad and a side of mac and cheese, which were both great. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the potato chip topping was wonderfully crispy and salty. The salad was just a hair under dressed, but I'd rather that than over dressed and the flavor of the dressing was fantastic. My husband had the burger, which was juicy and delicious, but the real star were the pickles they served with it - SO good! We actually asked for another side of them because we ate the ones that came with the burger before he even started eating the actual burger. The fries it came with weren't as crispy as he would have liked, but they were ok. Dessert was the real star of the meal, we shared the bananas foster budino and OMG. It was so insanely delicious. I'd go back just for the dessert!
Passed through for a work trip from Portland and enjoyed myself quite a bit. Great food and a shout out to Aaliyah for her excellent service. If I’m ever up this way again, I’ll be sure to stop by for a cocktail or three.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I decided to have breakfast here today (8/30/25) based on a review I'd read online. Noticed immediately that the dining chairs are heavy and cumbersome. The upholstered arms are filthy. Our waitress was pleasant. Food seemed a little slow, but not irritatingly so. I had The Lockwood--generous portions and very good. My husband had the burrata skillet. Frankly it looked like a disgusting mess. All the food was drowning in liquid. The carpet in the bar area is filthy. Think the person(s) in charge need to look around and make immediate improvements.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 4
Mediocre food , overpriced, limited menu
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
I wasn’t staying at the hotel but I was in the area with some friends and came in for lunch. All the food tasted fresh and delicious. Lots of vegan/vegetarian and gluten free options which is great. Overall great place but a little pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went there for brunch today for my wife’s birthday, I chose these brunch breakfast which was a mistake,
Bean side was disgusting, sausages where so overwhelmingly with maple flavor I couldn’t eat them, the roasted potatoes were not cooked and the eggs were insipid,.
For $17 I expected more than this,, don’t plan on going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Really nice to visit Waterville and go to a restaurant like this! Great service, nice atmosphere, tasty food and knows how to properly make a negroni!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice place with good food and many gluten free options (celiac safe)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Portions were small for the price, but the food was tasty. The blue chairs, however, are very uncomfortable. My back hurts after our meal because you can't reach the back of the chair without being so far back that your knees can't bend to touch the floor. It's like they were made for very tall people whose knees are 2/3 the way down their legs.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
The chairs were so uncomfortable that people were asking for pillows. Service was horrific. We waited 20 minutes to order drinks then she said since she made us wait that we should order food and drinks ar same time. Some guests didn't even order a drink since it was so awkward. My empty drink glass sat in front of me during the grilled octopus and meal, even until we left. One of our guests waited for 15 minutes to ask for mayo, after our burgers were delivered. The water glasses caused the entire table to be wet, I asked for napkins. She never brought them, manager finally did after we asked for them again. Food was great, but would not return due to poor service and chairs too uncomfortable.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
🌟 Food Review: Front & Main – Waterville, Maine
📍 9 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901
Tucked away in downtown Waterville, Front & Main is serving up some seriously bold flavors and thoughtful presentations. Sometimes you have to leave the buzz of Portland to discover hidden culinary gems, and this spot proves it. The ambiance is elevated yet comfortable—with beautiful seating and a cozy fireplace area that adds a warm, inviting touch. Let’s dive into the food! 🍴
STARTERS & SMALL PLATES
🧀 Smoked Ricotta (V/GF) – $18
This dish was... intriguing. It featured roasted asparagus, a ricotta whey emulsion, and an orange leek gremolata. Based on the menu, I expected it to be warm—especially the asparagus—but it was served cold. ❄️ While the flavors worked surprisingly well together, the temperature threw me off. Honestly, a bit confusing but still tasty? A solid 7/10 for flavor, but presentation and temperature missed the mark.
MAINS
🌮 Street Tacos (3) – Pork Belly Special
These were the highlight of the entire meal. No notes, no complaints—just pure joy. 🤤 Crispy, juicy pork belly with the perfect blend of spices, tucked into soft tortillas. Easily a 10/10, and I’d return just for these alone.
🥜 Gambian Peanut Stew (GF/V+) – $34
What a flavor bomb! 🔥 The mafe sauce was rich and spiced beautifully, and the lentils, carrots, plantains, and peas added heartiness. That said, some of the vegetables (especially the potatoes) were undercooked, and a few elements felt more raw than al dente. Still, I was so taken by the taste that I’d order it again in a heartbeat. 9/10, with room to perfect the texture.
🥔 Potato Gnocchi (V) – $29
Wow. These gnocchi were pillowy soft, served with pearl onions, asparagus, a pine nut & arugula pesto, and topped with pecorino. 🌿 The pesto sauce was vibrant and full of life—hands down one of the best gnocchi dishes I’ve had in Maine. A perfect 10/10!
🍗 Roasted Chicken (GF) – $32
This one fell a bit short. The curried cauliflower, mushrooms, and tikka masala flavors were great, but the chicken itself was dry and lacked the tenderness I hoped for. 😕 With better execution on the protein, this dish could have been a standout. 7/10—great ideas, not fully realized.
DESSERTS
🍰 Frozen Key Lime Pie (GF) – $14
A beautiful blend of tart and sweet, topped with toasted meringue, pistachio crumble, and a blackberry sauce. Refreshing and indulgent at the same time. Loved it! 💚
🍌 Bananas Foster Budino (V/GF) – $14
This was my favorite dessert of the night. A velvety banana custard, brûléed on top with vanilla wafers and chantilly cream—like crème brûlée meets banana pudding, and I was obsessed. 😍 Both desserts easily earned 10/10.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
✨ Front & Main brings a creative, globally-inspired menu to central Maine and executes it with a bold culinary voice. The ambiance is polished but relaxed, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout our visit.
Food: 9/10 – The flavors are incredible across the board, with a few execution missteps.
0 – This is definitely on the upscale side for Waterville. Expect to spend.
Ambiance: 8/10 – Sleek, elegant, and warm—especially with that fireplace nook.
Would I come back? Absolutely. Those pork belly tacos and Gambian stew are calling my name. 🔥
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Typically I’m a big fan of front n main, but I went to have breakfast earlier and I thought the restaurant was closed where it was empty besides the server was sitting on a couch on a phone so I went to another diner nearby, but on the way back through town I noticed people leaving front n main as if they were open so I was a little confused.
We found the service slow and noticed because of the way our table was placed, the wait staff was on their personal phones much of the time. The food was not outstanding unserve tap it but had an outstanding cost. I think a restaurant like this could do a lot better. The chairs squeaked and scratched on the slate floors, the outsides of the chairs were fabric and dirty from hands touching them. The legs of the chairs look like they had been abused from floor moppings. I think they could do a lot better all around. We went there but we will not be rushing back.
It’s not very often I leave a review, but I have been sick since after having breakfast yesterday on Father’s Day. I mentioned to the waitress I would like to have gluten free, she said they had GF bread. When my toast came out I questioned the waitress and asked again if it was gluten free, she said yes she was sure it was. Well I’ve been very sick since after eating there, and the hellish stomach pains all night. This is so awful I had to spend most of my day in the bathroom at work. I’ve been to front and main a few times and each time the food has declined, but to this point is just absolutely horrible!!! I will suffer for who knows how long as I haven’t been able to eat gluten for 15 years, this is the first time I can say a restaurant screwed up badly.
This place was great. The food is quality and pleasing. If you're lucky enough to sit at the bar and meet Aaron, you will likely find his interactions intelligently engaging. I would not call this a cheaper place to eat; I would call it a price point that is fair in today's economy. The portions are generous compared to other similar eateries. I find this is a gem hidden in a relatively small town of Waterville Maine.
My husband and I dined here for dinner one night while visiting the area after finding it on Google. We walked in around 7:30 pm without a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server, Max, was friendly and attentive. We started with the birria taco appetizer (the street taco feature that evening), which were very tasty (just a little greasy but not bad). I had the Caesar salad and a side of mac and cheese, which were both great. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the potato chip topping was wonderfully crispy and salty. The salad was just a hair under dressed, but I'd rather that than over dressed and the flavor of the dressing was fantastic. My husband had the burger, which was juicy and delicious, but the real star were the pickles they served with it - SO good! We actually asked for another side of them because we ate the ones that came with the burger before he even started eating the actual burger. The fries it came with weren't as crispy as he would have liked, but they were ok. Dessert was the real star of the meal, we shared the bananas foster budino and OMG. It was so insanely delicious. I'd go back just for the dessert!
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