A moveable feast: Exploring food trucks and ‘pop-ups’ across the peninsula

Warm weather brings a fresh lineup of outdoor dining opportunities

July 8, 2026

By John McClement

Summer is here and so too is the desire to dine al fresco. But summer also means lots—and we mean lots—of visitors to the area, which sometimes means that securing a patio table at your venue of choice can be a frustrating experience. 

We’ve all tried to book tables for special occasions weeks—and sometimes months—in advance only to find nothing is available. We know we’re far from alone when a snap decision to “go out” is made impossible when it comes to scoring a last minute reservation. And what about when you’ve casually swung by your favorite haunt only to find there’s no place to park, never mind anywhere to sit? 

Food trucks and “pop up” eateries may be just what we need.

Around the time of the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, chefs began leaving expensive brick-and-mortar restaurants behind to serve their signature dishes from food trucks and pop-up kitchens in unexpected places. At first they could only be found in urban areas like New York and L.A., but the idea caught on fast. Enthusiastic “thumbs up”  on social media helped the concept spread like wildfire. 

Today there are over 92,000 food trucks registered in the U.S. 

Our little corner of the world has welcomed its share of traveling kitchens over the years and they each bring something special to the peninsula, offering a rotating selection of offbeat options and international flair. The Rising Tide has assembled a food truck round-up to help you explore local options this summer. This genre of food should always be referred to as a “moveable feast” and exact dates and locations are subject to change. Keep your phone handy and remember to check social media before you head out on your next foodie adventure.

Bon appétit, friends. Enjoy the journey! 

Blue Hill  

• Fête
  Chef La Mason pop ups at MAE
  48 South St (the  yellow cottage at Mainescape)
  July 14, 21 and August 11, 25 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

• My Little Dumpling
  Globally inspired and locally rooted comfort food

  • 4 Parker Point Road (at The Blue Chill)
    Thursdays 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

  • 58 Main St. (at Sea Loft)
    Fridays 4 - 7 

  • Blue Hill Farmer’s Market - Blue Hill Fairgrounds
    Saturdays 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

• Hearth and Soul
  Wood Fired Pizza

  • 4 Parker Point Road (at The Blue Chill)
    Mondays, 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

  • Blue Hill Co-op
    Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

• Waffle Me
  Sweet or savory Liege style waffles
  At all Flash In The Pan Concerts
  July 6, and August 3
  *At the Blue Hill Fair, September 3-7

• Flanders Bay BBQ
  Award winning BBQ
  Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival
  August 15, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

• Blue Hill Fair
  All your traditional favorites will be there!
  September 3-7

Brooklin

• Brooklin General Store
  4 Reach Road
  Hearth  and Soul - Wood Fired Pizza
  Sundays, 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Brooksville 

• Crazy Otto’s Street Food
  363 Coastal  Road
  Sandwiches, wraps and munchies
  Thursday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Lucy Q’s
  366 Coastal Road
  Seafood, burgers, wraps
  Thursdays, 3:00p.m.-7:00 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
  *At the Blue Hill Fair, September 3-7

Castine

• This Lil’ Piggy
  BBQ
  Town dock
  Tuesdays, June to September 

• Stone Fox Creamery
  Premium ice cream made from Maine dairy
  Town dock
  Fridays-Sundays, June to September 

• Crepe Elizabeth
  Sweet and Savory Crepes
  Town dock
  July 14

• Ca C’est Bon
  Gumbo, jambalaya and etouffee
  Town dock
  July 14 

• McPhee’s Concessions
  American comfort food and sweet treats
  Town dock
  July 24, August 13-14 

• Downtown Charcuterie
  Personalized charcuterie
  Town dock
  July 24

• Rizza’s Kitchen
  Asian Cuisine
  Town dock
  July 24, 31; August 1; September 7, 18, 19; October 1

• Lucy Q’s Place
  Seafood, burgers, wraps
  Town dock
  August 13-14

• Dennett’s At The Wharf
  Seafood
  Town dock
  11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m., daily 

Deer Isle

• The Ark (Formerly Pilgrim’s Inn)
  20 Main Street
  Hearth and Soul - Wood Fired Pizza along with a weekly rotating oyster raw bar featuring Deer Isle Oyster Company, Tapley Cove Oyster Company and Eros Oyster Company
  Thursdays, 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

• Deer Isle Artisan Market
  Always a vendor or two selling delectable treats

Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Sedgwick

• Roaring Lion Farm
  160 Snows Cove Road

  • Burger Night, Sundays, 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., July and August
    Preorders begin Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. (until sold out)

  • Night Market, Mondays through August 3
    Tacos to order (vegetarian and RLF meat options changing weekly)

Stonington

Stonington has no ordinances or permitting processes for food trucks or  pop ups, and finding concrete information for various vendors can be challenging. 

But don’t worry: You can always find some of your favorites at the Farmer’s Market on Fridays:

• Hot Choy
  Bánh Mìs and hot sauce 

• Lobster Shack
  Ready to consume lobster and crabmeat in containers

• Smell The Flours
  Baked goods

Stonington Baking Company also offers pop ups by master baker Margie Litman throughout the summer. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming events.

Bucksport

• Bucksport Vendor Bender
  Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday through August 25, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
  On the Waterfront Walkway

• Bucksport 250 Freedom Festival
  Saturday, July 18
  On the Waterfront Walkway
  All day food vendors will include:

  • Mini Melts and Slush Puppies 

  • Jensen’s Fried Dough

  • Lucy Q’s Place

  • Twisted Concessions

  • Sassy Sips Lemonade

Peninsula-wide 

One pop up that deserves its own category is the Young Entrepreneurs  Market. Kids 14 and under will set up their own booths, selling freshly  grown vegetables, baked goods, drinks, crafts, hand made jewelry and  more. 

Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-noon: 

• July 11
  Little Deer Isle, LDI Lobster

• July 25
  Brooklin, Friend Memorial Library

• August 8
  Castine, Town Commons 

• August 29
  Blue Hill, Lawrence Family YMCA