The Causeway Restaurant

One of our favorite meals in Maine. Do not miss it! Lovely ambiance. Great service. Remarkable food. I had the fresh halibut special, which was incredible. Another got the short ribs, and two had the crab stuffed haddock. Everything was delicious!! Even the kids' Mac and cheese was yummy - we all ate it. The cocktails were great. We took a walk down to the jetty after dinner. Such a perfect evening! Would make it a point to go again if we're ever in Maine!

A wonderful evening at the Causeway (at Craignair Inn) - a unique cocktail at the bar, a starter of local oysters and a special main of Maine Sole - all with the wonderful company of Greg & Lauren, the owners/hosts, and locals who were warm and welcoming. Thank you to Gill, their skilled chef. A special part of staying at the Inn, visiting this part of the Mid Coast or simply heading down to Spruce Head for a meal

We have been here on multiple occasions and it's always wonderful. The food is delicious, the staff is knowledgeable & friendly and they have a beautiful location. I have severe food allergies and feel comfortable eating here. The owners are strong supporters of the community too. All around great establishment.

An Evening of Exceptional Pairings at The Causeway The Causeway Restaurant’s “Best of the Best” Bourbon Pairing Dinner with Buffalo Trace was nothing short of extraordinary, a globe-trotting culinary journey guided by exquisite pours and imaginative plates. Each course offered a nod to regional cuisine, from Parisian white bean soup and Greek-inspired chicken gyro. Standouts included the shaved asparagus salad with lobster and the lamb tagine with apricots and basmati rice. Buffalo Trace’s masterful lineup, from Blanton’s Gold to Sazerac Rye, was expertly paired, with tasting notes enhanced by Chef Gil Plaster’s thoughtful flavor profiles. Dessert, an alfajor kissed with brown butter and dulce de leche, found its perfect match in the velvety Bourbon Cream. The evening, hosted with care and character by proprietors Lauren and Greg Soutiea and guided by Buffalo Trace’s Drew Mayville, was a sensory celebration of craftsmanship, comfort, and connection.

Decided last minute to have a Labor Day dinner, and had positive experiences at the Causeway in the past. Chose the outdoor seating option given how beautiful the day was, but ended up regretting it for the copious dogs and kids that were there as well. The bacon wrapped dates were awesome, but the rest of the meal was good, just not aligned with expectations for what ended up being a little more than $80 per person (including one draft). Nice view, but pricey.

Beautiful views, high quality food, an impressive cocktail program, and quite possibly the most pet friendly restaurant patio I have ever experienced. They have dog beds for the dogs to sit and relax while you eat.

We were here in 2021 and again summer 2022. Couldn’t love this place more!! They have the most delicious and creative vegan options - our family will NEVER forget the passion fruit moose tart thing we had in 2021 😭😍😍(please bring it back) The vegetarian and meaty options have also gotten so much praise from my family (in the vegan one) Oh! And don’t even get me started on the cocktails!!!! Amazing. Delicious. Boozy. Perfection. Wish I could eat here EVERYDAY! The owner is super cool too. Very down to earth. And the outdoor area is pet friendly so even our pooch got to enjoy a bougie meal :) Thank you ! 2023: I brought my dog for his bday! 2025 update: brought my parents here for the first time for dinner. They loved it so much and had such a wonderful experience that we came back for brunch! My parents were most taken aback with the service: very attentive, kind and patient. The owner also came around to ask how everything was and was helping out with orders and taking plates away. The food DELICIOUS.

Had brunch. Started with coffee and OJ. Had their simple breakfast with eggs, bacon, and potatoes. The bacon was cooked to perfection, the potatoes had a lovely seasoning on them, and the eggs were poached perfectly with a little salt on top. I added a maine blueberry pancake on the side and it was perfection. After your meal you can walk across the causeway. Thank you for adding to the memories of this area.

We had an amazing dinner here our first night visiting Maine. The oysters were the best we have ever had and the waitress told us they were caught an hour before being served.... so fresh! We tried the salmon, the cod, the Brussel sprouts, the Mac and cheese and the asparagus and it was all delicious! The best part however was the white chocolate crème brûlée!

Superb. We sat on the deck overlooking the harbor with our dog! The food was simple and delicious, from the lobster cakes app to the fish entrees. Great Maine beer in cans. Then, the freaking blueberry tart!! Add impeccable service and it's a spot I hope none of you find ;)

The setting is beautiful. The service was incredible. Food presentation was lovely and our server was very knowledgeable. Food prices are steep and my fish was a bit overcooked but overall a nice experience.

This is a quaint restaurant right on the water in a quiet, out of the way, part of Maine, but not too far from Rockland. They have indoor and outdoor seating areas including a lovely porch. The service is very friendly, although they tend to have a little too few staff for the number of tables. The wine selection is good, although a little on the expensive side. The food is consistently delicious. We have been there multiple times, including on Maine Restaurant Week, and never had anything but a terrific, flavorful, well balanced and spiced meal. The mushroom pasta was one of the best pastas we have ever had, light noodles with an amazing deeply flavored sauce and filled with meaty mushrooms. The lamb shank is huge and so tender and delicious you will be tempted to pick it up and chew the meat off the bone. Desserts are also wonderful, we just had a caramel walnut cheesecake that was so light and fluffy that we got an extra one to take home.

Beautiful location, great food and atmosphere is a summation for this restaurant. The dates bacon wrapped appetizers, a great creation filled with flavors and fillings. The main meal was prepared with fresh ingredients, and excellent presentation. The whole experience was topped with a great service! Don't forget the excellent choice of "happy drinks". First but not last visit. Highly recommended!'

The food and drink at the Causeway is Flavorful and Delicious!! Probably the best braised short rib I've ever had! The roasted brussel sprouts and goat cheese polenta were also very appetizing! I would love to try everything on this menu! Maybe one day!! Don't sleep on the drink menu either, I had an amazing Old Fashioned one night and the house Marg was perfection! Did I mention we had a perfect view of the sunset?!? Would highly recommend for anyone traveling by through Mid-coast Maine!

Ate brunch and it was amazing! Had crab cake Benedict and a cheese danish! Service was kind and pleasant. The view of the ocean was so perfect.

Incredible service and cuisine. Lots of vegetarian options! The veggie crab cakes were delicious!

We had a lovely dinner at The Causeway! Highlights included: 1. The space itself! We sat outside and got to enjoy the view of their lawn down to the water and the curving Clark Island Rd. 2. The service! It was thoughtful and attentive. 3. The community vibe! Locals for sure know how special this place is, and it was neat to be a part of such a jovial atmosphere. 4. The cocktails! Every one we had was delicious. Unsure of what to get? Just ask; the staff is so knowledgeable. 5. THE VEGAN CRAB CAKES. This was the absolute stand out for me. One of the best things I've eaten in years. It was two jackfruit based cakes on some arugula with a remoulade. I wish this was offered as a main course, to be totally honest, like six crab cakes on a bigger bed of arugula. Unfortunately, we didn't love our Veggie Burger (it was pretty dry and completely fell apart upon picking it up) or the Vegan Lobster Wrap (which is hearts of palm and mushrooms tossed in mayo... it was very wet and kind of sour). We also thought there'd be more roasted potatoes on the side (as you can see in the photos, there were five or six tiny wedges). Over all The Causeway is offering a welcoming and relaxed dining (and brunch, too) experience in the midcoast area that focuses on supporting local Maine farms and fishermen with something for everyone on their menus.

I'm a self-declared brunch aficionado--I love brunch, would rather dine out for breakfast/brunch than any other meal, and have sampled brunch on all 7 continents. This brunch was one of my all-time favorites. It was our 1st time here and we decided to give it a try because we are traveling with our 2 pups and they were welcome to join us on the patio here. So glad we came--its our new favorite spot on the Midcoast. The coffee: just perfect. I was tempted by the house bloody mary that was at nearly every table and looked incredibly fresh, but wasn't up for alcohol with the day I had ahead. As we were leaving, I overheard someone ordering a virgin one and kicked myself for not thinking of that. The lobster benny is not to be missed (though needed a bit more hollandaise given how large the English muffins were). Apparently the bennies all previously came with hash browns? The server noted they had a new chef as of a few days ago and would now come with smashed potatoes. Well, the new chef is fantastic and I don't know what the hash browns were like, but the potatoes were solid. The blueberry pancakes were fluffy and delicious. They are served with real maple syrup and butter, but didn't really need either. The reuben was flavorful and not greasy. The sauerkraut looked canned but tasted house-made, so not sure what magic the chef worked there. We contemplated ordering a 2nd one to-go to share as a snack later--which isn't something we usually do, but it was just that good. Brunch was accompanied by live folk music, from a delightful duo who I would pay to go see perform and kept the classics coming--but at a volume where conversation was still comfortable. Together with gorgeous views and amazingly attentive service, it was one of the most enjoyable brunches I've had in years. We can't wait to return.

Terrific food, well prepared. The great views certainly add to the charm of the place. The only negative about our experience was that the service was very slow that night. They mentioned to us early on that they were short staffed so some delays were not a surprise. But it did cut into our enjoyment of the evening. To be clear, the service was very friendly and helpful, just too many long delays between seeing them...

Great quality food and fun cocktails pulled us in, not just seafood fare which was common in the area. So glad this was the first stop on our honeymoon.

The Causeway restaurant is attached to the craigmere inn. Great unobstructed views of water. Food is excellent and not pricey. Service is terrific and friendly. Will certainly go back

Oh my goodness, this restaurant is amazing! The food, service and ambiance blew away our expectations -and we were a large party of 12 people! Let's talk ambiance quickly: the lovely, friendly hostess put our large group on the deck with a gorgeous view of the water and the sunset. We didn't need the heater but it was available. The tables throughout the restaurant were decorated in a rustic minimalist design and the interior ambiance was cozy. The deck where we ate was clean and nautical with trendy Edison lighting. Now I'll turn my attention to the service. My traveling companions and I would like to give the Causeway staff 10 stars in this category! My group of 12 is a boisterous crowd, and our waiter, Jase interacted so well with us that we applauded him at the end of the meal. A couple people in our party asked for substitutions which Jase and the chef accommodated without any issues. The manager, Brenda came to the table to welcome us and our waiter, Jase gave us just the right amount of attention throughout the meal. The owner of the inn, Greg also helped with every aspect of the meal service and made us feel very welcome! At the end of the meal, the Chef came out to greet us which was a very special treat for us. He also received a round of applause from us because our taste buds were still doing a happy dance! Now, let's talk about the food. EPIC. 10 stars again! My husband and I shared two appetizers: the Brussels sprouts with pancetta and blue cheese which were the best roasted Brussels sprouts we've ever had (and that's saying a lot because we get it everywhere we go), and the bacon wrapped dates. Those 2 apps were so tasty, I could have ordered them all over again for my meal! But hubby and I ordered the hangar steak with asparagus, roasted potatoes and a wonderful sauce of some sort. My description is unfortunate because I'm not doing it justice. The flavors were outstanding! Our friends ordered a variety of menu items, but a couple that got rave reviews were the mussels and the lamb. My friends and I want to thank the exceptional staff of the Causeway for blessing us with a memorable meal and delightful experience that we hope to recreate the next time we're in the area!

We ate the "themed for Madigra" crawfish boil that was quite blah....over cooked crawfish and bland sausage. Leave it in NOLA. Our second meal the fillet mignon and garden salad were excellent. Servuce...inexperienced, wearing jeans. Ambiance... comfortable enough. My reason for three stars....cost! Not the individual dish prices since they are high priced but what isn't? Our problem is the 4% "kitchen fee" they add to the bill. Bottom line... for a $108 subtotal and after an 18% essentially mandatory tip plus their added piece... the final tally was north of $140 bill. I'm never going to be ok with an electronic card reader in the hands of a-waitress who hawks over one waiting to receive the answers to the total. We have eaten there three times and each time are taken back by cost. No more business from us. It's just not worth the $$. Great view and all.

Came here for a Sunday brunch and it was very good! I had the eggs Benedict and I loved it! Beautiful ambiance sitting outside on the deck but there were a ton of hornets flying around. The service was efficient and friendly. Can't wait to come back and enjoy more meals here again!

Love this place! Food thoughtfully prepared. Drinks, tastefully done. Food with taste. Ambiance with care. I highly recommend The Causeway for a meal to remember and revisit.

We have had wonderful meals at the Causeway, but last night it was terrible. Our halibut was dry and badly overcooked, as was the baked lobster (which was served without the tools for cracking and eating the claw and arm meat). My wife ate about a third of her halibut, and I slogged through about half, before quitting. I asked if we were being charged for the halibut and our server said we were, but if we had told her earlier, she could have ordered replacements. When I told here she was unavailable for long after we had been served, she became defensive and snarky.Did she apologize? No. Did she suggest a free dessert because we were unsatisfied, no. The halibut was $42 per person. The lobster was $65. We're through with the Causeway.

This out-of-the-way inn and restaurant was recommended by our Innkeeper for dinner, which is a good thing because we would have never found it on our own. They were booked solid when we called but worked to get us in. I am so glad they did! The decor and atmosphere were not much to look at, but we watched the sun set over the water and causeway, which was lovely. We both ordered the halibut dinner and it was fantastic. The fish was on a bed of asparagus, sweet potatoes and another vegetable or two gently nestled in a lobster bisque sauce. Yum! The preparation, presentation and meld of flavors was exceptional. We highly recommend it.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at The Causeway and enjoyed delicious food, beverages, and service! I had super fresh haddock with yummy French fries and cole slaw. My husband ate Lobster Mac and Cheese and almost licked his dish! We started with beverages (Empress gin and tonic and a High N Wicked Irish Whiskey and a Maine Beer Lunch), a nice salad, and ended with a complimentary Earl Grey Crème Brûlée. Greg, the owner was there and we chatted with him and our bartender/waitress, Megan. It was a delightful night!! Can't wait to go back!!

I've been here a few time. The service is always good & the food is next level. They even have great vegan options! As for the atmosphere, you can choose a table with either a gorgeous view of the coast or sit in a beautifully curated art gallery. You can't go wrong!

If you are VEGAN please take the time to go to this restaurant, the food is absolutely amazing!! My husband and I went all the way from Canada to Maine to get married and from all the restaurants we went to around the area this, by far, has the most vegan options. We stayed one week and visited several restaurants and all of them either don't offer any vegan options or their only vegan dish is a very sad salad. But at the Causeway you have several options to choose from, so much so that we ended up going back a few times to try them all, and we were not dissapointed, they were all delicious! The staff is also super friendly and welcoming and you are even allowed to bring your dog(s) to eat with you at the terrace. We had both lunch and dinner there, both indoors and outdoors, and the view and the ambience are just amazing. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to try their vegan brunch (which I've heard is out of this world) so we are planning on going back soon to try it.

Food was very tasty but took a bit, there is lots of very beautiful artwork on the walls. Waitresses were very kind.

Started off with great selection of Maine beer. Gorgeous outdoor dining. Quiet area. Ordered two vegitarian lunches. Wild mushroom wellington and a veggie schwarma. Water in a bottle for each table. We split our lunches. Both were equally exceptional dishes. Could not have been more pleased. It seems you should have a reservation. We did not, but were early to get a table. Hats off to the chef!!! If you are a vegetarian, (we are not), the food is amazing. We are elderly now and enjoyed the healthy choices. Had blueberry galette with coconut ice cream for dessert. OMG good. Darn good lunch. Wicked!! We were lucky to stumble on this place just driving around. Can't wait to come back.

I don't know why almost everything is closed on a Sunday in Maine, but I am glad that this restaurant was open. We called them to make sure they were open and of course they were, but I had to reserve that day since they said they were fully booked for dinner. We got seated at 7:15 once we arrived. Our server Susan was super nice and attentive, gave us some suggestions on what to check out. We ordered the oysters, crab cakes and clam linguine which were all really good. I had their local vodka which pretty much satisfied me. I would recommend this place, but do call ahead for reservations.

The three of us went for an early dinner. Warm bread started us off, with some Prosecco. I had the capallini and clams , my wife the pan seared Atlantic salmon and my step mom the lobster croissant. All dishes were over the top. Very well prepared and presented. We finished with some delicious desserts. Nice ambience and views. Excellent staff.

SO FANTASTIC! GREAT FOOD! GREAT SERVICE! Cozy & authentic atmosphere! Such a creative menu! 100/10 overall! DO NOT SKIP! If you're looking for exceptional food without a pretentious atmosphere YOU CAN NOT DO BETTER THAN THIS! FYI; I'm a vegan visiting my mother (who lives in the Rockland area and is NOT vegan) and I'm used to making modifications and feeling like a burden on my servers when we go out, especially because my mom can be a little "picky"... I don't think I've ever seen such creative & delicious options for vegans & non-vegans alike in the entire Rockland area, (someone behind the scenes here must be vegan- bravo!)The causeway EXCELLED my expectations overall! Our server ( Josh?) was great and very knowledgeable about the whole menu- and my mom definitely likes to ask a lot of questions about the menu! He even knew where the grapes came from in the wine she chose! Also the manager/owner was very present & making the rounds coming around & checking on everyone! Once again, great service & hospitality to compliment the delicious food! I got the vegan crab crakes and the vegan mushroom strudel and the vegan ice cream sundae. The crab cakes were amazing crispy perfect, and the strudel had a perfect flaky crust & lovely savory filling, and the ice cream was a yummy coconut treat to end the meal! Will definitely be back! Thank you to the staff & management for an awesome experience!!!

Causeway is delicious, elegant, kind, and in one of the most beautiful locations in Maine. The service is impeccable, the food is so beautifully presented, and the view from the table is maine ocean front over a beautiful island. I almost don't want to promote them because I don't want it to be ruined by too many people showing up! So lovely!

Really enjoyed this restaurant last summer. It was our first meal out since the beginning of the pandemic, and we were anxious, but all COVID protocols were followed, and we ended up being the only party at an indoor table for much of our meal. The food and service were excellent. Unfortunately, we did not have nearly as good an experience last night. My husband and I were seated at 6:40 AND DID NOT RECEIVE OUR APPETIZERS UNTIL AFTER 7:30. The power went out for a couple of seconds, and apparently that prevented the computer from printing out orders. I get that things like that happen; it is how the establishment handles problems that matters. Well, we barely saw our waitress for the hour we waited for our apps. She didn't even acknowledge that there was a delay for half an hour. Then we were told about the glitch. Most other restaurants would offer a free round of drinks, or to comp the very late appetizers. We were offered NOTHING. The restaurant was not full- there were two empty tables for the duration of our stay. The staff did not seem harried or under pressure at all. When we got our appetizers, a crab cake for my husband and hummus for me, they were excellent. Our mains arrived before we had finished, and they were also very good. We really appreciate the multiple vegan options offered, for which I added a star. Few restaurants offer more than one token vegan dish, if any, so having a choice is really a luxury. We were really looking forward to date night at The Causeway after such a wonderful experience last year, but we were so disappointed, and very hungry for an hour! We will probably return, but not as enthusiastically.

My wife, a friend and I had dinner this evening. For dinner I had the linguine and clams which was over cooked. My wife and friend had the scallops which they both agreed was excellent. Although the restaurant was not busy the service was rather slow. I later found out that the server was new so I will cut her some slack. On the bill was a 4% "Kitchen Appreciation Fee" which I questioned as I have never saw a fee like this before. The manager said that it is stated on the menu. Which after looking at the menu I saw it in fine print. Next time I'm in town I will try them again hopefully leaving with a better taste in my mouth

As a vegan living in rural Maine it's hard enough dining out, finding a place with that one item on the menu that's not a garden salad... that one token item allowing your carnivorous friends to bring you along. Add to that an even more restrictive diet due to health issues, and dining out seems a fantasy. Evan as plant-based diets become more common in popular culture, here on the coast of Maine, I have seen options dwindle rather than increase. Then came a mailer to our home in Cushing about The Causeway. A young couple had taken over the Craignair Inn and a chef from Puerto Rico was whipping up magic in the kitchen with a menu that featured multiple vegan dishes. MULTIPLE vegan dishes! This was unheard of in our area. We had to try it out. A couple Tofu Wellingtons and vegan "crab" cakes later and my husband and I were hooked. This wasn't your cursory veggie burger and bun affair. This was a thoughtful creation of flavors and textures that resulted in a hearty meal celebrating the plant-based ingredients. So it was a no-brainer, that when a health issue restricted my diet, I made the Causeway my first port-of-call. I reached out with my ridiculously long list of banned ingredients...Soy, Amaranth, Barley, Cashew, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Green Pepper, Green Pea, Mung Bean, Navy Bean, Orange, Peanut, Pineapple, Pistachio, Rosemary, Sunflower, Wheat, or any gluten. The response... no problem. Sure enough, Chef Fernando had us all covered. Our meat-eating friends thoroughly enjoyed their fare. My husband devoured his vegan Mushroom Strudel. And my meal? ...it was anything but restricted, it was scrumptious. The stuffed roasted squash dish was brimming with flavors, a dish that Chef Fernando described as 'easy' when he visited our table. He quipped that part-owner Greg was constantly challenging him for new vegan fare. My request had paled in comparison. So we challenged Chef Fernando a second time, and he didn't disappoint. A delightful celebratory 50th wedding anniversary dinner for our friends, and another delicious custom creation for me. This time a savory paella. Thank you Lauren and Greg for your wonderful hospitality and for creating a vegan dining haven in Mid-coast Maine. Thank you Chef Fernando for bringing your culinary skills and passion to our humble corner of the planet, and to graciously exceed my challenge. Our next visit can't come soon enough.

Have been to dinner twice and brunch twice. Consistently yummy and creative dishes but not too wacky. Really impressed with the quality of the meals. Good for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Truly the best brunch in the midcoast. Chill vibe. Nice folks. 10 10 recommend.

Ate hear for dinner last evening back for brunch today 5 star food and service all the way flavors rival any dishes I have had as a traveler in some of the best places with reputations prices are absolutely reasonable and many vegan options as this is AWESOME for my daughter and I !!

We ordered takeout tonight and are so glad we did! We're so happy to have such a wonderful place nearby! We ordered a house salad appetizer, the steak Diane, homemade seafood pasta with a lobster cream sauce, and the scallops with risotto. Everything was delicious! The sauces were flavorful but not too heavy, the steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare), the vegetable sides were well-seasoned and cooked perfectly al dente. Overall, we were really impressed and will definitely be back. Covid deets: There's a pickup window and contactless payment (you just slide in your card) and all the staff were wearing masks. The view is also beautiful though we just saw it briefly!

Had an amazing dinner, the staff was great and the chef even made a visit to our table! A+. Beautiful location 100% recommend!

Meh. Ambitious and slightly pretentious menu but the food was just ok. Good Bloody Mary.

This is a 3-star review. Here's why: the food is fine. Not exceptional. The service is very good. Here is what will always stick in my craw and why I won't go back: the meal I ordered included an avocado salad. I don't eat avocados so asked for a small Caesar instead. They wouldn't do it without charging me more. Instead, they gave me mediocre grilled asparagus which, btw, are much more expensive than lettuce. Don't get it. Why would you lose a customer - and risk a bad review - over lettuce?? Because you don't put the customer above all else. In any case, very few places open on Monday nights so this was fine. But don't believe all the hype. Just not true.

The two of us enjoyed an early dinner inside at The Causeway on a Friday night, and the staff accommodated our request for a table far and away from other diners as this was only our second experience dining inside since the pandemic reached our shores. We both enjoyed our appetizers and the dinner special, a fresh swordfish preparation with a delicious sauce. We had a leisurely dining experience and a lovely evening. Thank you for accommodating our last minute reservation and helping us feel both safe and comfortable in your restaurant. We are delighted to hear that you will be open year round!

Great new place (August 2020) just south of Rockland. Terrific views, excellent food and service. Go - you will not be disappointed.

If you're looking for a place that just feels special, this is it. I've come here twice and loved the food and service both times. Get the salmon pie. I was skeptical at first, but the waiter recommended it and I'm so glad I listened because it was everything I love about food. My husband and I switched plates halfway so I was also able to have the short ribs which were lusciously tender and so flavorful. For brunch, I had the French toast, which had such a great flavor, like what you hope the French toast you normally order will taste like, but doesn't. This one delivers. They add white chocolate chips, but I found those to cloyingly sweet, so I scraped them off. My kids had the best blueberry pancakes. Just go and have a great time, you'll love it.

Okay, so last night we had a special anniversary dinner prepared by chef extraordinaire Fernando Ferreira at the inn. It was (and is, we're eating leftovers today) excellent and brought us back to our nyc days. So grateful to Chef Fernando and owners Greg and Lauren (Cassie too)!