Cool place. Decent food. Not worth the expense of the meals. We expected a whole lot more for the price tag.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Scott Wykes
We had a delicious brunch in this cozy, fancy little place. There was plenty of variety for various tastes served with a smile. Thank you to Anika our server!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jordan
This was a decent place to eat dinner. The menu was limited but with some good options. Our service was good. The food wasn't perfect and my medium rare steak was all of medium well. This was even more obvious because they cut it up prior to serving. The steak was still tasty despite being overcooked. The appetizers were very good though. As I mentioned the service was good, bit definitely not great we waited most of our meal for drink refills that never came. As alcohol is such a big money maker we were surprised they didn't try to refill. Our waiter was too busy talking with their back to us. Decent option, but nothing super special. I'm not sure I'd go back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
tom dowdall
One of the worst restaurant experiences - the restaurant was cold. Told server who said she was hot, so no action. Waited ages to be served and food was undercooked. We asked for a glass of wine with the meal. After 15 minutes the server returned with an empty wine glass which she quickly left on our table with no comment. Then 10 minutes later a member of the bar staff came along with a small carafe of wine which he poured into the glass, again without any comment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Alex Samara
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
Donald Eldridge
Today was my first visit to Front and Main, and unfortunately I was very unimpressed. For a place that wants to seem upscale, there are many basics to fix first. The area outside the front door needs a good sweeping. Once inside, there is no sign directing you to the restaurant area. Walking through the bar, the carpet is noticeably in need of a shampooing. After arriving at our table, we drew the attention of the other patrons while trying to position our heavy and dirty chairs. The noise created could be lessened by simply putting slide pads on the leg feet. All of the chairs need to have their cloth backs shampooed. This could be fixed with vinyl backs like the seats. Our waitress was friendly, but failed to introduce herself and had no nametag. There was no spoon with silverware, no salt or pepper, or jellies on the table for brunch. I ordered the Buratta Skillet. By its name, I expected the food to be on a hot plate or platter. Instead it arrived in a bowl with the eggs in water like a soup. On top was what looked like poached egg whites, but turned out to be three pieces of cold mozzarella. This was not listed in the menu and would be a problem for someone with a dairy allergy! The meal would have been much more appealing on a dry plate. As my wife was pushing her chair away from the table to leave, the lady at the next table said "they are very noisy, aren't they". I don't usually write negative reviews, as any business can have an "off day". However, what I saw today shows long term neglect of cleanliness and simple table setting.
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.
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. 🔥
Cool place. Decent food. Not worth the expense of the meals. We expected a whole lot more for the price tag.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
We had a delicious brunch in this cozy, fancy little place. There was plenty of variety for various tastes served with a smile. Thank you to Anika our server!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was a decent place to eat dinner. The menu was limited but with some good options. Our service was good. The food wasn't perfect and my medium rare steak was all of medium well. This was even more obvious because they cut it up prior to serving. The steak was still tasty despite being overcooked. The appetizers were very good though.
As I mentioned the service was good, bit definitely not great we waited most of our meal for drink refills that never came. As alcohol is such a big money maker we were surprised they didn't try to refill. Our waiter was too busy talking with their back to us. Decent option, but nothing super special. I'm not sure I'd go back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
One of the worst restaurant experiences - the restaurant was cold. Told server who said she was hot, so no action. Waited ages to be served and food was undercooked. We asked for a glass of wine with the meal. After 15 minutes the server returned with an empty wine glass which she quickly left on our table with no comment. Then 10 minutes later a member of the bar staff came along with a small carafe of wine which he poured into the glass, again without any comment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
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
Today was my first visit to Front and Main, and unfortunately I was very unimpressed. For a place that wants to seem upscale, there are many basics to fix first. The area outside the front door needs a good sweeping. Once inside, there is no sign directing you to the restaurant area. Walking through the bar, the carpet is noticeably in need of a shampooing. After arriving at our table, we drew the attention of the other patrons while trying to position our heavy and dirty chairs. The noise created could be lessened by simply putting slide pads on the leg feet. All of the chairs need to have their cloth backs shampooed. This could be fixed with vinyl backs like the seats. Our waitress was friendly, but failed to introduce herself and had no nametag. There was no spoon with silverware, no salt or pepper, or jellies on the table for brunch. I ordered the Buratta Skillet. By its name, I expected the food to be on a hot plate or platter. Instead it arrived in a bowl with the eggs in water like a soup. On top was what looked like poached egg whites, but turned out to be three pieces of cold mozzarella. This was not listed in the menu and would be a problem for someone with a dairy allergy! The meal would have been much more appealing on a dry plate. As my wife was pushing her chair away from the table to leave, the lady at the next table said "they are very noisy, aren't they". I don't usually write negative reviews, as any business can have an "off day". However, what I saw today shows long term neglect of cleanliness and simple table setting.
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
Restaurantji Recommends
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
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